As I write this blog and think of Advent and Christmas music of my childhood, I have very vivid memories. An overwhelming sense of nostalgia bombards my senses. I can hear it. I can smell it. I can remember the feeling of the expectation of Christmas to come.

In my home we had a candy cane countdown to Christmas. You know where we pulled off one candy cane each night as we got closer to the magic day, and since I was an only child, I got to remove that candy cane and eat it each night. Music, during this season was constantly in our home.

Music at Christmastime

My dad was the music minister in our church, and the Advent season was always bustling with activities and preparation for special music of Christmas. It was probably my favorite time of the year. I loved it! I especially loved the music!

For me, when I think of the Songs of Christmas they bring up memories of a warm and wonderful time with our small family of three. As I grew up, married, raised four kids, and became a music minister myself the wonder and awe never wore off, but I guess, being honest, maybe the nostalgia became colored a bit differently. My nostalgia became tainted with the color of divorce, with my kids growing up and moving away, and with a deep sense of loneliness at Christmastime.

Two Things At Once

The older I get the more I realize that two things can be true at once. I can have great, nostalgic memories when I hear a certain song, and great sadness at the same time. I’ll bet you may feel the same.

You see, Christmas and Advent are filled with possibilities AND hurts. Longing for what was, AND pain for how it should have been. Expectation AND fear of what’s to come. Joy AND frustration. Promise AND doubt.

Managing Expectations

Also, let’s get really personal here: Isn’t there a sense of ‘how it’s supposed to be’ in Christmas? We are supposed to hear this song at church _____________ (you can fill in the blank). I am supposed to feel this way when I leave a service.

You see, the songs of Christmas move us in extremely deep ways, that maybe we do not even realize. Maybe there is hidden meaning that goes deeply into our needs and our wants for how Christmas is ‘supposed to be.'

Music and Song, Not Just Narrative

In the Biblical telling of the Advent of the Christ child, the story carries the same deep feelings of longing, hope, joy, fear and so forth that we feel, in this day and age. And what is incredibly interesting to me, in the midst of the story of the anticipation and birth of Jesus, there are four
songs. The song of Mary, the song of Zechariah, the song of the Angels, and the song of Simeon.

Why songs? Why not just a narrative? Why music to go along with this amazing event?

Is it maybe that God knows how much music and song affects us? Is it that maybe He knows how deeply we connect emotions to specific songs? Is it that God knows that a song can help us remember something important?

I’m guessing that probably all of those things are true, because all throughout the Bible we see scripture where songs are mentioned. The entire book of Psalms, all 150 chapters, are poetry, most likely set to music, to praise God, to lament, to ask of God His favor, and to remember
the wonders that He has done.

Throughout history man has been moved by song, just like us. These four Songs of Christmas have been set to music over and over again throughout the ages. Let’s look at each one!

Four Songs

Mary’s Song has come to be called the ‘Magnificat’ - Latin for “My soul magnifies the Lord” has been set to music over and over again for centuries. You will even find it being used traditionally in the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, Eastern Orthodox Church and Anglican Church in parts of the Mass.

This song is a song of wonder, expectation and praise to God.

In Latin: “Magnificat anima mea Dominum, et exsultavit spiritus emus in Deo.”

Translated: “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”

We’ve probably all heard that part, if we have been around church at some point during our lives. But wait! There’s more!

It goes on in the New Living Translation:

“For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.

His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.

He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”

WAIT! WHAT??!! This teen aged girl, in Israel, 2000 years ago, gave a social commentary? I have to read that again!

You see often when we hear settings of the ‘Magnificat’ the song stops after the first couple of lines. But, Mary did not stop there! She went on to declare God’s mercy, AND God’s justice for the poor and oppressed! WOW!

Did you know, the ‘Magnificat’ has been banned by governments? India, Guatemala, and Argentina, at some time, actually banned the ‘Magnificat’ from being recited in public, because they feared it would stir up revolution among the poor and oppressed.

Crazy, isn’t it? A song can and does move us deep within our soul.

Zechariah’s Song, from Micah chapter 5, foretells of the coming of the Messiah, and that he will be honored all around the world and be THE source of peace.

The Angel’s Song, is a song of Joy. “Joy to the World the Lord has Come”. They were sent by God to reveal the coming of Messiah to the Shepherds, and usher true Joy into the world.

Simeon’s Song, from Luke chapter 2, tells us of an old man who was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Jesus was brought to the temple to be presented to the Lord, Simeon saw him and praised God.

He praised God saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

He then blessed Jesus and his parents, Mary and Joseph, and said to Mary, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Again, two things can be true at once, He will be blessed AND opposed, you now have joy AND you will experience great pain.

The Coming Of Our Messiah

As we step into this Advent season let’s remember these Songs of Christmas; the joy, the wonder, the peace, the praise, but let’s also see past the baby in the manger. That baby becomes the Messiah. Our Savior. And, I might add, even in the midst of our hurt, our pain, our grief, and our worry, Jesus is still Sovereign. He is the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, and He has come FOR US!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Glory to God in the Highest! May you have a blessed Advent and Christmas.

- Tim Alexander, Church on the Hill Director of Worship

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