Repeat the Sounding Joy
One of my favorite Christmas hymns is “Joy to the World.” I love the second verse: “Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; let men their songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy.”
Several years ago, that phrase “repeat the sounding joy” really captured my attention in a new way. As Christians, are called to repeat the sounds of joy that were heard that first Christmas season. We’re called to echo the shouts of praise that came from those who witnessed the arrival of the Savior.
The very first Christmas hymn came from the lips of Mary and is found in Luke 1. In light of what God had done by sending His Son, Mary shared a song of praise, now known as The Magnificat. There are several lessons we learn from this song about how we can “repeat the sounding joy.”
First, we should rejoice in God’s goodness.
Mary says, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant” (v. 47-48). As children of God, we can say the very same thing. God has looked on us with favor, so we ought to rejoice.
This time of year, there’s a lot of talk about Santa Claus. Too many people think that God is like Santa Claus. He’s good to us, as long as we’re good to others. He’s just watching and waiting for us to slip up so that He can withhold His gifts from us. But that’s not what God is like. God is good to us even though we don’t deserve it. He gave His Son for us when we were His enemies.
Mary knew, deep in her heart, that God had been good to her. Like the psalmist, she had “tasted and seen that the Lord is good” (Ps.34:8). She had experienced it for herself, and her praise was motivated by that knowledge. And we’ve experienced that same goodness through Jesus.
Second, we should rest in God’s work.
Mary praises God for the work He’s done. She says, “He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (vv. 51-52). By sending His Son to save us, God has done a mighty deed and brought about an amazing reversal of fortunes.
We are called to rest in what God has accomplished for us. Remember what Jesus said on the cross - “It is finished!” (Jn. 19:30). We must rest in the work of Him who defeated sin and death. He doesn’t need our help; we don’t have to add anything to what He did for us. He has reversed our fortunes; He has exalted us though we don’t deserve it.
Third, we should trust in God’s promises.
Mary says, “He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever” (vv. 55-56). Mary knew her history, and she knew her Bible. She knew the promises that God had made to her ancestors. She not only knew these promises; she also believed them. And she saw in her miraculous pregnancy evidence that God was keeping His promises. She was able to see these events as the unfolding of the plan that God had in place all along.
We’re in a privileged position because we get to look back into history and see how God brought these things about, but Mary and so many others had to live by faith, awaiting the fulfillment of these promises. They trusted that God would be true to His Word, even though they didn’t really know how it was going to happen. They were hoping in the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. That’s our hope as well. By faith we trust in God’s promises and we rest in the hope provided for us.
Paul says of Jesus, “All the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (2 Cor. 1:20). God will keep His Word. He will fulfill every one of His promises. So, that means that we really can “repeat the sounding joy” no matter what we’re facing. We can echo the song of praise that Mary offered because we know who our God is, what He’s done for us, and what awaits us.
As you celebrate Christmas this year, make plans to join us for one of our Christmas Eve services at 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.