Recently Brenda Lee’s holiday standard “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” finally led on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart – 65 years after its release – when she was only 13. Here is a lyric sample:
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancin' merrily.
In the new old-fashioned way
That new way includes songs like Rudolph the Red Nose; Charles Brown’s Please Come for Christmas, I Saw Mommy Kissing St. Claus; and of course, Mariah Carey’s - All I Want for Christmas Is You.
But no Christmas song list would be complete without another 13-year-old girl’s song for the ages: Magnificat—the ancient Christian hymn celebrating Mary’s response to the angel announcing she has been chosen as the mother of Messiah found in Luke 1:46-55, the Scripture reading of the third Sunday of Advent.
There are four reasons why you can’t have, spiritually, a Merry Christmas without a “Mary Christmas.” She wasn’t perfect. She just had the perfect response to God’s calling on her life.
First, sing about what God has done for you. Mary sung how God has blessed her.
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord. 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. LK 1:46-48
Recall how God has blessed you: children in reasonably good health; no bombs and missiles overhead; no shelter cot for a bed.
So, since you are blessed, your response should be: life and song should glorify God and your lifestyle should be one of humility.
Second, sing about who God is. Mary sung about who God is:
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
• God is powerful (The Mighty One) so mighty with God nothing is impossible. (Luke 1:37)
• God is holy (pure, clean, trustworthy, unspoiled). A desire to have a pure heart is a key to an eternal relationship with God (Matthew 5:8, which says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”)
• God is merciful. God withholds what we all deserve: Ro. 5:8: 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.)
Third, sing about God’s sovereignty. Mary sung about God’s control of the affairs of nations.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
• God controls the proud (those who think they have it going on… but don’t)
• God rearranges the power structure (flips it: humble on top)
•God meets the needs of the needy, not those who don’t think they need God.
Lastly, sing about God’s care for his family—the children of God. Mary sung about God’s care for his children.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy,55 as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
What has God promised you and kept: forgiveness, love, hope?
Whatever songs are on your favorite Christmas list, don’t rock the holiday without the Magnificat. You can’t have a Merry Christmas without a “Mary Christmas.”
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