Lk.1:46-49 – And Mary said:
“My soul exalts the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
“For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant;
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
“For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
This song is absolutely a song of joy. This is not the joy of the world that comes from parties and adult beverages or even from family get togethers. It is not the joy of Christmas presents, bonuses, or Christmas feasts we all enjoy. This is another kind of joy, angelic joy. It is even better than the joy of angels because they don’t know the joy of redemption. This is supernatural joy that comes only from the presence of the Lord.
Where was this joy coming from for Mary? Why of course; Christ was in her, she had to rejoice because joy Himself was in her belly. If you really think about it, Christ is in us today. Not the human Jesus or even an embryo. It Is the Spirit of the Lord that is in us. His Spirit gives us new life, life that comes from feasting on this One who now lives inside of us. Here is how Charles Spurgeon describes this song of joy.
“This is a happy style of living, and all short of this poor slavish work. Oh! you can never know the joy of Mary unless Christ becomes truly and really yours; but oh! when he is yours, yours within, reigning in your heart, yours controlling all your passions, yours changing your nature, subduing your corruptions, inspiring you with hallowed emotions; yours within, a joy unspeakable and full of glory—oh! then you can sing, you must sing, who can restrain your tongue? If all the scoffers and mockers upon earth should bid you hold your peace, you must sing; for your spirit must rejoice in God your Savior.”
Joy demands a response. We respond with laughter, dancing, and singing these songs of joy to the Lord. Christmas, for a Christian, is the celebration of joy. Light has pierced the darkness, the Spirit of Jesus the Lord has made His home inside of us and we are singing with Mary these Christmas songs of joy. So don’t be a Scrooge with all his humbug this Christmas. Put on your dancing shoes and sing and dance for joy to the Lord.
