This Sunday, we begin a short sermon series on the “songs” in the New Testament that surround the birth of Christ: Zechariah’s song (Luke 1:67-79), the angels’ song (Luke 2:14), Simeon’s song (Luke 2:29-32), and today, Mary’s song (Luke 1:46-55). Several of the hymns we sing this morning allude to Mary’s actions in the story of Jesus’ birth. Come All You Worthy Gentlemen mentions her praying and rejoicing, just as we read in the sermon text. The Angel Gabriel gives a poetic recounting of her entire encounter with the Angel of the Lord, with the third verse paraphrasing Luke 1:46 (“My soul magnifies the Lord…”). Strikingly, Mary’s own words focus on the majesty and power of God (“He has shown strength with His arm;” “He has scattered the proud;” “He has helped His servant Israel;” “He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham…”), drawing on the language of the Old Testament, especially the psalms. Because of this, we’ll also sing hymns that emphasize Christ’s victory and exaltation: Joy To The World (a paraphrase of Psalm 98) and All My Heart This Night Rejoices (“Forth today the conqueror goeth”). As we sing in Once In Royal David’s City, Jesus was not merely the little child of Mary, but the Lord in Heaven above, seated at God’s right hand, and leading His people to glory. —Henry C. Haffner
