Luke 1:46-55
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name. 50His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.'”
Good News! not for some select sect or mingling of monks, but for all the people! Christmas made earth the visited planet, the target of truth, the manger of God’s message to humanity.
Don’t Hold Back; Sing Joyfully! Psalm 98:1
“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”
1. What is the right word for our day? Joy . Psalm 98:2
“The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.”
2. What is the good news for every person? Jesus . Psalm 98:3
“He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”
Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King.
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.*
Invite the Whole World; Everyone Is Welcome!
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;” Psalm 98:4
1. God’s presence in the world gives power . Psalm 98:5
“make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,”
2. God’s grace gives meaning to life . Psalm 98:6
“with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout for joy before the Lord, the King.”
Joy to the world! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.*
Relax in Faith; He Rules and Reigns! Psalm 98:7
“Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
1. If we accept Christ as King, we acknowledge His sovereignty over all.
v.7
2. If we accept Christ as Savior, we acknowledge His blessings .
“Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy;” Psalm 98:8
No more let sin and sorrow grow, Nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found.*
Open Your Heart; Sing with Confidence! Psalm 98:9
“let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.”
1. God still does the impossible .
2. God will unite His people.
3. God will save His children.
He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love, And wonders, and wonders of His love.
*Issac Watts, 1719, Joy to the World
