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The First Christmas Carol

December 24, 2013 Speaker: Ken Ramey

Topic: Christmas Passage: Luke 1:46–56

Christmas Eve Service
The First Christmas Carol
Luke 1:46-56
In Luke 1:39, we are given an account of the first of several songs that were sung at the birth of Christ.This song was actually the predecessor of today's modern Christmas carols, which are songs of praise or joy. Unfortunately, today's carols are intermixed with many secular songs that have nothing to do with the miracle of Christ and His birth. But Mary's song is in its essence, a Magnificat, which is a demonstration of how the Word of God saturated her heart and mind.
Mary's Magnificat gives THREE PRAISES to God for the things He had done:
1. WHAT GOD DID FOR MARY (vv. 46-49)
Mary saw herself as insignificant, but saw God as magnificent. Her song exalts the entire person of God. It is not about herself, but totally about God.
2. WHAT GOD DID FOR OTHERS (vv. 50-53)
In the Magnificat, Mary highlighted how those who fear God would be the ones to receive God's mercy sand grace. She included herself among the helpless, humble and downtrodden. Her song speaks to the change that would occur when the Messiah is born, and Mary speaks of it as though it had already happened.
3. WHAT GOD DID FOR ISRAEL (vv. 53-56)
Mary concludes by exalting God's faithfulness because He had kept the promise that He made to Abraham (Gen 12:1-3). That is, to graciously provide a Savior for the nation of Israel. God did not give Israel what the people deserved, but had mercy on them.
Have you experienced the kind of change that Mary's song refers to in your own life? If you receive Christ, then you too can receive God's promise of salvation that is given to everyone who turns to follow His Son Jesus Christ. May we magnify and glorify the Son of God everyday, and especially this day when we celebrate the Savior's birth!