The Gospel of Luke contains the most information of the four gospels about the birth of Jesus. One of the surprising features of Luke’s “orderly account” (1:3) of the birth of Jesus is the number of songs surrounding the events associated with Jesus’ conception, birth, and consecration. If we include Zechariah’s song, then there is a total of five. This may not seem to be that large of a number, but no other event in Jesus’ life or ministry is accompanied by that many songs. We are told that Jesus sang a hymn with his disciples after the last supper (Matt. 26:30), but that hymn isn’t actually recorded (maybe Psalm 118?). So, why all these songs associated with the events of Jesus’ birth?
Song or singing is a way for us to turn our attention outward toward God. Instead of gazing at our navels and focusing on our thoughts, feelings, distresses, etc., we turn to address our glorious God in all of His splendor. We focus on His beauty, worth, and work. That is what is happening in the songs of Luke’s gospel. Mary’s song (1:46-55) is not just about the favor she found in the eyes of the Lord, but about the Lord’s might, mercy, and holiness. She speaks to God’s humbling of the proud and exalting of the humble.
Zechariah’s song (1:67-79) speaks to God’s covenantal faithfulness. God has kept his promise. He has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us. He has saved us from our enemies. He has delivered us so that we “might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all of our days” (v. 74-75) Interestingly, Zechariah speaks as if this has already happened before Jesus was even born!
At the birth of Jesus, the angel, along with “a multitude of the heavenly host,” appeared to some shepherds and praised God by proclaiming “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (2:13-14). The angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds and revealed to them that a Savior, a Messiah, had been born in the city of David (2:10-11). Then out of nowhere, a multitude of heavenly host appeared and started praising God. The heavens were opened and the shepherds witnessed these angelic beings giving glory to God. After seeing the baby and recounting to Mary and Joseph all that they had witnessed, they returned to their flocks “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (2:20).
Finally, the consecration of Jesus took place eight days after his birth in the temple in Jerusalem (2:21-38). This is an important part of Luke’s gospel and one that doesn’t make it into our Christmas celebrations. This was a time for Mary to be purified from her ritualistic uncleanness and for Jesus to be identified with his people and consecrated to the Lord through the redemption of the firstborn (cf. Exodus 13). Simeon, a Spirit-anointed man who had been waiting for the “consolation of Israel,” saw Mary and Joseph bring Jesus into the temple, took the child in his arms, and erupted in praise to God for the salvation that He had prepared for all people (2:28-32). A woman in the temple, Anna, soon joined Simeon in worshipping God by giving thanks to Him for the redemption He had provided (2:36-38).
All of this should help us to see the centrality of celebrating God for all that He is and all that He has done in His Son. This was central to the first Christmas and all subsequent Christmases. May it be central to your Christmas this year as you contemplate the glory and goodness of our God. Join us on Sunday mornings at 10:00 as we seek to do this as a community and for our Christmas Eve service at 7:00.