The Songs of Advent

Zechariah's Song - Luke 1:68-79

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

because he has come and has redeemed his people.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of his servant David

(as he said though his holy prophets of long ago),

salvation from our enemies

and from the hand of all who hate us -

to show mercy to our fathers 

and to remember his holy covenant,

the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to rescue us from the from the hand of our enemies,

and to enable us to serve him without fear

in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

to give his people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins, 

because of the tender mercy of our God,

by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

to shine on those living in darkness

and in the shadow of death, 

to guide our feet into the path of peace.

The Angel's Song - Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Mary's Song - Luke 1:46-55

My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful 

of the humble stat of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me -

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him, 

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

even as he said to our fathers.

Simeon's song - Luke 2:29-32

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which  you have prepared in the sight of all people,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.

A song of Faith, a song of Peace, a song of Trust, and a song of Hope. The four "Christmas songs" found in the Bible. Each character had something different to praise God for, and they wanted everybody to know. I don't know about you, but when I burst into song it's usually loud (and let's be honest - rather obnoxious) and I do so with the intention of being heard. Zechariah, Mary, Simeon, and the Angels all knew something about their God that they wanted everybody around them to know too. What message do we want to carry to the world this Christmas season? Is it a message of Faith, Peace, Trust, and Hope? What do our Advent songs look like this year?