Songs Of Christmas
“The character of God moves the people of God to praise.”
OPENING PRAYER
God, you are the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counselor. Truly the list of titles of which you are deserving is infinite, because you are infinite. Incomprehensible to us, and yet you've communicated yourself to us, demonstrating who you are with abundance by sending your Son as a child, communicating not only your strength, but also your desire to be at peace with us, your people.
The reality is that this is not of our own doing. We, as children of wrath and sons of disobedience, we're making war against you and our rebellion in our sin, and you being who you are, sent your Son to change us.
It is because of this changed nature that we've received through Him that we are here this morning to proclaim your glory, to praise your name, to bow down in your presence and worship you.
So be glorified, God, and as we continue to reflect upon the incarnation, the reality that you became flesh, continue to be glorified. Sanctify us, Lord, as we turn our attention to your Word. Spirit, guide and direct us, help us to understand and to apply, convict if necessary, help us to be drawn to repentance if necessary this morning, but be glorified, God, in this time.
Bless Jason as he brings forth a message from your Word. Give him power in the Spirit to proclaim this message with clarity, boldness, to preach your gospel. And Lord, we ask that if there are people here this morning who have yet to know you, that today would be the day of their salvation, that you would draw them to yourself, bring them to a state from which they will never return because they are saved.
Thank you for this time, God. We love you. It’s in the name of the Son, Jesus, that we pray. Amen.
Sermon Summary
Pastor Jason introduced a Christmas series focused on the “Songs of Christmas” from Luke 1–2 and began with Mary’s song (Luke 1:46–56). He explained Mary’s circumstances, the angelic announcement, Elizabeth’s confirmation, and how these experiences shaped Mary’s praise. The sermon emphasized that God's character—His salvation, mercy, and faithfulness—moves His people to praise. The pastor highlighted how Mary models trust, humility, and joy despite difficult circumstances. He concluded by calling believers to reflect on God’s saving work, proclaim His mercy, and live in hope grounded in His faithfulness.
Scriptures Used
All Scripture references mentioned or quoted:
Luke 1:5–25 — Announcement to Zechariah
Luke 1:26–38 — Announcement to Mary
Luke 1:39–45 — Mary visits Elizabeth
Luke 1:46–56 — Mary’s Song (main text)
1 Samuel 2:1–10 — Hannah’s prayer (alluded)
Various Psalms (alluded, thematic parallels)
Genesis 12:1–3 — Promise to Abraham
2 Samuel 7:12–16 — Promise to David
John 14:6 — “I am the way…”
Luke 1:37 — “Nothing will be impossible with God.”
Main Points
God deserves my praise for His salvation.
God deserves my praise for His mercy.
God deserves my praise for His faithfulness.
1. God’s mercy should motivate us to PRAISE
We are part of the “generation to generation” that receives God’s mercy.
The fact that God has included us in His saving plan should cause praise to rise in our hearts.
We should worship because God keeps extending mercy and because His mercy has not run out.
Pastor’s wording: “We are a part of the generation to generation that Mary references… this alone should cause praise to rise up in our hearts.”
2. God’s mercy should motivate us to PROCLAMATION
God is still saving people.
He has chosen to use us as His instruments to take the gospel to the world.
Through believers, the gospel goes forward to every tribe, nation, and tongue.
Proclaiming the gospel is not optional — it is God’s plan.
Pastor’s wording: “God’s mercy is still being extended… and He has chosen to use us as the proclamation of the gospel… Through us, the gospel goes forward.”
3. God’s mercy should motivate us to HUMILITY
We must remember who we were before Christ.
The church is not a group of “good people” but redeemed sinners saved by God’s mercy.
Knowing we are recipients of mercy should kill arrogance, self-reliance, and spiritual pride.
Pastor’s wording: “We’re not the good people that found each other. We’re the redeemed people that have been saved by the mercy and grace of God.”
1. Because God is faithful, our reaction should be TRUST
When life feels uncertain
When waiting is difficult
When we don’t understand what God is doing
—we must remember that God keeps His word and can be trusted.
Pastor’s wording:
“So our reaction must be to trust… When life feels uncertain… when waiting is hard… when we don’t understand… God keeps His word.”
2. Because God is faithful, our reaction should be REMEMBER
God’s track record fuels gratitude and obedience.
Scripture repeatedly commands believers to remember what God has done.
Remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens current faith.
Pastor’s wording:
“God’s track record of faithfulness should fuel our gratitude and praise… Paul calls us to remember God’s faithfulness.”
3. Because God is faithful, our reaction should be HOPE
Biblical hope is not wishful thinking; it is confident expectation.
We have promises we haven’t seen yet — eternal promises.
God’s past faithfulness guarantees future fulfillment.
Pastor’s wording:
“Hope — a confident expectation that what God has said will happen will happen.”
PASTOR’S FINAL PRAYER
Father, I know often when we come to this time of year, we are so familiar with the Christmas story that maybe we feel like there’s not much for us to learn. I’ll put my hand up and say I am often in that category. In my personal life, and even in ministry life, we start this season and I’m like, God, what am I going to say that Your people don’t already know?
But the reality is, oftentimes, it is the basics, the fundamentals that we need to go back to. That as Your people, Your character should lead us to praise.
The fact that You have rescued us from sin. You have pulled us out of the pit, out of the miry clay. You have taken the heart of stone and made it a heart of flesh. You have breathed spiritual life into us. You have made us adopted children, sons and daughters of the King.
We praise You for Your salvation, the grace that has been extended to us.
We praise You for mercy that’s not only being extended to us, but that is being extended to all those who fear You from generation to generation. That we are a part of that, but also that we are called to go out and proclaim the good news of the gospel.
We praise You that Your mercy should lead us to humility, and then to praise You for Your faithfulness. You keep Your word. You kept Your word to Your people. You kept Your word to Abraham, to David, to Mary.
You keep Your word to us. We can trust You.
May You help us to remember that, and may we hold on to the hope that You’ve given us. Amen.