Giving Praises to God

The first group is known as songs. Now, I have no voice for singing since the loss of most of my hearing; and, as any one with a hearing loss will tell you, the loss distorts that which comes from the voice box. But, one day, all will be restored, and I can sing praises to God without sounding like Edith Bunker, or worse.

Although there are other songs in God's Word, only two Christmas songs will be shared with you at this time. Christmas songs are found in Luke's Gospel and have to do with the miraculous. The Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced the Virgin Birth of Jesus. Mary's elderly cousin, Elizabeth, also received news of the coming birth of John the Baptist. Mary made a journey into the hill country of Judea to visit Elizabeth, after the Angel told Mary of her cousin's expectation. What we are dealing with here is miraculous, and that is the only way in which it can be accepted. You either believe what has happened, or you don't.

Then speaking to Mary, Elizabeth sings the first song of Christmas, and it is lovely: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord" (1:42-45).

Now, Mary sings her song, known the world over as The Magnificat: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever" (1:49-55). Isn't that lovely? The Magnificat is equally lovely sung as an anthem, or in the beautiful Gregorian Chant. The next form of praise to God is that of a blessing.