the best christmas carols

Luke 1:67–79 67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant— 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old— 71 Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; 72 To show mercy toward our fathers,

And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, 74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,

79 TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

A quick synopsis

Gabriel visitsZacharias disbelieves Divine punishmentTotal obedience

The best songs come from within

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied…

Be filled with the Spirit

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:16

Praise should be Spirit led

What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

1 Corinthians 14:15

First verse

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant

1. Begins with God2. Recognizes what He has done

What has He done?

OT view Deliverance from Egypt, the giving of the Law and the establishment of Davidic line.

NT viewThe advent and finished work of Jesus

Visited RedeemedSalvation

Key term

House of David-promise that God made to David (2 Sam 7) and the arising of the Messiah (Isaiah11:1) from the tribe of Judah.

Isaiah 11:1 (NASB95) 1 Then a shoot will spring

from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit.

Second VerseSalvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.

1. Salvation2. Mercy3. Covenant4. Serve God

Salvation

Psalm 106Physical deliveranceRefers to the exodus

from Egypt

Deliverance from Egypt

As with much prophecy there is a duel meaning, near and far on time lines

Psalm 106To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant,

Proper response

He rescues us and we serve Him

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;

Speaks blessing over his son

Familiar chord

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:1

Duo

John as the forerunnerJesus as the Messiah

Variations on a theme

To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,

Shift from national to personal

Salvation is now forgiveness of sin

Mercy is the first advent of Jesus

A song of hope

TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Restoration of people of northern IsraelPeace is the Shalom of God

Prophetic in many ways

…by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.

Isaiah 9:1b–2 Area of the start of Jesus’ ministrySalvation to all

Putting it all together

Be filled with the SpiritLet your worship be inspiredAllow the words of God to flowBless God Bless others