Songs of Advent

By Sarah Greenfield

Singing of songs remains a significant part of Christmas celebrations. For many of us Christmas tunes stream through our work computers, fill our homes, and accompany us on our ride to work.  There is a great debate on the appropriate date on which such Christmas themed music becomes appropriate. I’m holiday inclusive so I make myself wait until the day after Thanksgiving.  Whether Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” or “Silent Night” is your Christmas jam, I would bet you have heard a Christmas song or two this December. Two songs of a Christmas variety are featured in the first chapter of Luke’s gospel: declarations of births of great significance.

The first of these songs is the familiar song of Mary, characterizing the significance of her pregnancy. Young Mary, certainly overwhelmed and unsure of her future, brings to this song her humble assurance of the fulfillment of the message delivered to her by an angel. In her song, she declares not only her blessedness because of the existence of this child in her womb but reflects upon the characteristics of a faithful God, from whom comes the birth of a Savior who lifts the humble and fills the hungry. The second song, found at the end of the first chapter of Luke, features another child who is not our Savior, Jesus, but a prophet, John. This child is a promise to his parents Zechariah and Elizabeth also sent from a heavenly messenger.

A declaration from an excited father, and prophecy from the Holy Spirit, introduces the work of John the Baptist to the world in these final verses of Luke’s first chapter. It is with great excitement and enthusiasm we read Zechariah’s words uttered by a newly freed tongue. This tongue is eager to ease fear elicited by this unexpected naming and turn attention to the unexpected which was to come from this child.  Advent brings a season of anticipation. Zechariah’s anticipation was elevated as he is unable to speak following his visit from the angel with such joyous news. We see an explosion of anticipation at the end of the first chapter of Luke as Zechariah is finally able to articulate all that this child means not only to his family but to the peace of the world. Luke places the announcement from the angel of the birth of this child to his parents prior to that of Jesus. Baby John is the epitome of anticipation of Jesus as he represents the announcement of and preparation for the promised Redeemer and Savior.

How might John inspire us in the midst of our anticipation? In this text John’s future work is foretold. We imagine John sharing with people the good news of salvation, of forgiveness. We feel the warmth of the rising, heavenly sun which, through mercy, shines light and paves a path of peace. John’s entire purpose of preparation looked like living out the gospel and culminated in trail guiding to peace. Part of the call of preparation and the call of anticipation is a call to peace.

Perhaps our expectancy this Advent should be accompanied by a consideration of our role as we prepare the way for God’s great acts in our world. Just as John’s birth represented, we, the Church, are called to pick up our tools and pave a path of peace. We, just as Elizabeth and Zechariah’s child, are an important part of the story of God saving the world.  God’s redemption of the world includes prophets who go before and pave the way. Are we listening to the songs of the prophets in our churches this Advent?

Some of these songs are familiar and remain important to the task at hand such as our enthusiastic call to, “Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.” Some remind us of messengers of this great news, “sweetly singing o’er the plains.” Others invite the incarnation of Jesus, as we remember what happened in that manger in Bethlehem.  “O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell: O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.”

Zechariah celebrates God’s use of John in the promised restoration of the world. Advent can remind us to live with anticipation matching that of Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, and those in the world who are desperate for a Savior. May our anticipation drive us to be peacemakers and participants in the good news of a Savior characterized by forgiveness and tender mercy. As we prepare the way to peace this Advent, may our songs of preparation ring through the months to come. May we take up our task of preparation as we anticipate God’s continued work beyond Christmas. Such work, intended for us as we write the music of the future of God’s kingdom, music composed by joyous proclaimers of salvation and road-pavers tired from a long day’s work.  Contribute to the music this season.

Sarah Greenfield serves as the Pastor for Emerging Adults at First Baptist Church of Abilene, Texas.