Music is an essential element in my life; Christmas songs
especially. So when it comes to participating in a play or cantata, I’m all in
on the festivities. There’s one in
particular that could have changed the whole “gotta be a part of this” though …
it all happened about twenty years ago.
Our church was preparing for the annual Christmas cantata
and as usual both my husband and I volunteered to be in the play and musical
part of the program. We were blessed
being paired with one another as a couple.
He had a ton of lines and was really good.
As for me, well I managed to get over my stage fright in
the acting part. It was the musical end
that almost closed the curtains for this gal.
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Practice Perfect
It was late September when those involved with the annual
church Christmas program received the scripts and music that would be performed
in December. This year the cantata was
the most difficult, but the songs were wonderful.
After church on Sundays and following prayer meeting on
Wednesdays we had rehearsal. As the
performance dates grew closer music practice would also be set for Monday or
Tuesday, giving us time to weed out any problems in the solos or interactive
parts.
Our choir director was a perfectionist when it came to
making sure everything went right. We
were in awe of his piano and singing abilities, but extremely blessed that he
was part of our congregation and not off touring the world. He could have been; he was highly favored by
God in his theatrical music talent.
Sing that Tune
Even though the cast was good sized, our choir was not. There were only about a dozen or so in the
group, but every one of us was thrilled to be a part of the cantata. Some of us were also in the play, which kept
us hopping back and forth in the room.
There were two lines that formed the group; boys in back
and girls in front during rehearsals.
Being stage and platform challenged we sort of had no other choice.
That’s the way it started out, but as we progressed
people got switched around. Eventually
the choir director figured out the best positions for us all and we settled in
to our new slots.
I can’t remember where everyone stood, but it wasn’t hard
to forget where I was standing. To my
right was Raven, one of the senior members in the church. Next to her was my sister Ann and a few
others to her right as well. There was
only one lady to my left.
 |
| Watch just how off key he really is. So funny!. |
Everything was going well until we opened our mouths to
sing. What a sad song it was as we all
tried to sing in tune. The problem was
we each sang to our own beat. It didn’t
take long for us to get on key … for the most part anyway. At least I tried and kept trying to sing the
notes correctly.
Our director would point to a person and on cue we had to
sing a line or two from the program. It
reminded me of that episode of Andy Griffith when Barney tells the choir
director he can sing. Everyone knows but
Barney that he can’t sing … not a lick!
When he called on me I was as nervous as a cat. I couldn’t really figure out why it happened,
because our family sang professionally for years. It is easier singing to people you don’t know
though, at least it is for me.
Not One More Step
Whew … I did it, sang on key that is with no glitches at
all. Stepping back into my spot in line
the director called on a couple more to belt out a few notes. Not bad, everyone was doing okay.
Sitting at the piano our director gave the signal to
begin singing. Within seconds that tone
deaf bird flew back into the room, only this time it wouldn’t get off my
shoulders. What happened? Not even ten minutes earlier I was singing
fine.
You can hear someone was NOT hitting the right notes, and
I knew it was me. No matter how hard I
tried I just couldn’t get it right.
Looking past Raven I leaned over to see my sister. I had this weird frown on my face as if she
understood what I meant.
Straightening my stance I leaned back into my position,
but as I did the mysterious was uncovered. Dear Raven was the cause of my sour
notes. For some reason her voice was
throwing me off key. I didn’t understand
this because when she sang a solo her voice was fine. A bit low, but fine.
I am a soprano and my sister is a falsetto soprano.
After practice I asked if she was having any difficulty singing her
part. Of course she didn’t, her voice is
perfect and beautiful.
With some last tweaks of the positioning for the singers,
the choir director decided to move me to the other side of the person standing
on my left. I didn’t really want to be
switched, because I was in the center and eye-to-eye level in approximation
with the director making it easy to follow his cues.
Quickly stepping into her new spot she moved in front of
me and ever so gently pushed me to the side.
As the night wore on I noticed that the tips of my toes were slightly
off the platform and with another step I would have fallen off the stage. In fact, I did take that giant leap one
night. Thankfully during the actual
program the choir would be located on the floor to the right of the stage!
Resounding Hallelujahs
Our anticipation and anxiety grew as the performance
dates arrived. With lights lowered and
positions set, it was time for Raven to sing her solo. The audience silenced as her raspy bass voice
sang the song of Christmas … the Savior has come.
The voices of the saints were in harmony as we repeated
the angelic sounds of rejoicing hallelujahs to the new born KING. Jointly our “magificant” song mirrored that
of Mary’s, which was given voice the night of Gabriel’s visitation. Oh how the arms of God surrounded us with the
revelation of Christmas favor that had come to mankind.
The Songs of Christmas Favor
Continuing through chapters one and two of the book of
Luke in the New Testament of the Bible, there is another common thread that the
participants of the first Christmas shared – a song of favor. Zacharias, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary along with
Simeon and Anna all echoed a song of praise for the grace (unmerited favor) they
received from the Lord. For the sake of
time, I’d like to share the heart of Mary in this post.
This week I discussed with my husband what the Lord was
sharing through His scriptures concerning the Magnificat of Mary also referred
to as the Song of Mary. It’s so much more
than just lyrics from a young virgin girl who was excited about what God was
about to do through her.
If you’re not familiar with it, this canticle is most
often sung during Christian church services around Advent from the scripture
found in Luke 1:45-55 following a conversation she had while visiting Elizabeth. Some think of it as a continuation or a
follow-up response to the praises that she received when the news of her expectancy
was revealed.
In this hymn of praise, Mary describes that the joy in
her soul reflected what she already possessed in her spirit. She had found gladness of the Lord in God her
Savior. The delight was that He chose her,
a lowly humble hand-maiden to bear the Son of God.
It is likened to the magnificant song of Hannah when she rejoices
in praise to Yahweh for the birth of her son Samuel (1
Samuel 2:1–10). Traditionally
we can see traces fashioned after the prophetess in the Song of
Deborah found in Judges 5:1-31. Mary chose to
magnify God, but sadly many people throughout church history choose to magnify
her over God.
Mary’s Four Soul Finds
If we take a closer look between the lines of the Song of
Mary, we can see how she describes the favor of God in four specific areas:
1 - Favor God has
shown her.
2 - Favor on
those who fear God.
3 - Favor to
others who choose God as Savior.
4 - Favor for
Israel/Zion.
The “Hymn of Mary” begins in Luke 1:46 and ends at verse
55. Breaking down the four finds, it
begins in verses 46-49 where Mary sees favor given to her. It is here where we notice her humility in the
condescension tones she uses comparing her lowly positioning or state to others
from the merciful Almighty God, creator of all things.
Mary rejoices and gives praise for Heavenly favor by trying
to make sense of it all for the reason why God would choose such a girl as she
to carry His child. At this time she
becomes fully aware that all generations will call her favored of God, because
this is like no other that will ever be shown toward another human for all
eternity past, present or future.
1 - Favor to Herself
Her song is a continuation of Elizabeth’s words in the
conversation they were sharing about the favor of God on both their lives. She tells how her soul (spirit) exulted
rejoices and magnifies in God her Savior … the Savior of me personally.
She starts with praise and rejoicing then repeats the
process:
Rejoice – “And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness
of the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (vs. 46-47)
Mary recognizes she is a sinner that needs to be
saved. The Bible says in Romans 3:23 that “all”
have sinned. She is in awe how the Lord
has “looked upon her” with such mercy even though she isn’t royalty, but a
servant in which she is now humbled to be a recipient of His grace and favor. It gives her a reason to rejoice with gladness.
Reason for rejoicing –
“because He has
looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave.” (vs. 48)
Rejoice – “Surely, from now on
all generations will call me blessed.”
Mary openly proclaims that indeed God is mighty - the
Mighty One. (Psalm 20:1)
Reason 2 for
rejoicing - “because
the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is Holy.” (vs. 49)
2 - Favor and mercy on those who fear God.
The voice of thanksgiving for favor is extended to those
who fear God. Mary understands that
through THIS CHRIST-mas child will come the fulfillment of the promise to
redeem mankind.
God has reached down from Heaven granting His eternal
mercy for all generations that revere and fear Him. It’s no longer just about her receiving
extraordinary favor.
“His mercy is from generation to generation on
those who fear Him. (vs. 50)
3 - Favor to others who choose God as Savior.
New light is given to her revelation when she learns that
God is discriminating in His distribution of remarkable favor. It is only extended to those who seek His Son
through the redemptive power of salvation.
Favor is no longer just for those who love God among the
Jewish nation, but through Jesus Christ, favor will be extended to the Gentiles
– all people, every nation and tribe who receive the message of salvation.
God has stretched out His arm of favor through the power
of the Holy Spirit to save the lost, and reject those who remain filled with
pride.
“He has done a mighty deed with His arm; He has
scattered
the proud because of the thoughts of their
hearts.” (vs. 51)
Instead of promoting the high and mighty upon earthly thrones
(the Bible refers to as “seats”), God has passed over Kings of the past who
exalt themselves over Him. He didn’t
look to the elite rulers of Israel, but showered her, a lowly handmaiden, with
His favor.
Mary’s Song of Favor starts out magnifying God, and
ends with proclaiming the promises that will be remembered forever. She is encouraged, lifted up and her joy is full. Her life is now satisfied with good things
and those in power have been sent away with nothing from the Lord.
“He
has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
He has satisfied the hungry with good things
He has satisfied the hungry with good things
and sent the rich
away empty.” (vs. 52-53)
4 - Favor for Israel (Zion which is the Church).
The last favor find that Mary tells us is that God has
kept His promise to grant mercy to Israel.
This is a two-fold remembrance vow.
Israel is to remember how God has granted them mercy throughout
generations past when He took them by the hand and led them to the promise land.
God also remembers His promise to Abraham’s seed or
offspring, which covers the vastness of earth from generation to
generation. You could think of it like
this:
“God remembers His own promises.”
Jehovah remembers His love and devotion to the people of
Israel and His plans will always include them. (Psalm 98:3) We would be wise to do the same!
“He has helped His servant Israel, mindful of
His mercy,
just as He spoke to our ancestors, to Abraham
and his
descendants forever.” (vs. 54-55 HCSC)
Raven’s Song of Christmas Favor
It’s amazing how God reveals His messages to us. Sometimes it comes through ministering angels
as it did with those mentioned in this Christmas Favor Series, sometimes
through His Word or others.
This week it came through Raven, a humble servant of the Lord who left earth to sing with the Heavenly Saints this past Monday, December 19th, 2016. The love of God was deep in her heart as it was with Mary; we heard it sung time and time again through the song of favor she sang from John 3:16.
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave
His One and Only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him will not
perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 HCSB)
Although we shall miss our sister in Christ, we believe
and receive the CHRIST-mas favor of salvation that Immanuel, God is with us. (Isaiah
7:14; 8:8)
The promise of eternal life was manifested through God’s
Son Jesus … the CHRIST-mas child, over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem!
Rejoice all ye Saints, Mary’s song of CHRIST-mas favor is
still being sung. Won’t you join me in
the choir and proclaim your song of Christ’s favor?
This Week’s Challenge:
Sing Your Song of Favor
Throughout the Christmas season we love to join in the
chorus and sing carols in whatever key we want.
There’s a laughter and joy that fills the room penetrating into our
hearts as we sing joy to the world. By
the time we get to Silent Night a hush covers the room, and the Spirit of the
Lord reveals Himself to our humbled hearts.
For our challenge this week, let us sing our song of
favor for all to hear. As we celebrate Christmas this season, be very mindful
of the four things that Mary pondered in her heart when CHRIST-mas was
born.
Remember how God has favor in store just for you.
Remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully crafted,
created and molded by Him for His plan.
Remember that you are not exempt when it comes to needing
your sins washed away, and that only His grace and unmerited favor will grant
you access into Heaven.
Remember that God loves Israel and Zion (His Christian church
both Gentile and Jewish). We are His and
the promised CHRIST-mas child came that all will not perish, but have
everlasting life.
With a song in our hearts and praise on our lips, it’s
our time to joyfully proclaim His fame from this generation to the next
generation! God has shown us great
things; Holy is His name. His mercy and
favor are free for all those who fear Him and receive Him.
Merry Christmas beloved of God, may the songs of Christ’s
favor bring glad tidings of good news to all who hear it. (Hopefully, they’ll
all be on key!)
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Until next time, join in the Song of God’s
favor for your life!
“There is a favor song for all the Saints.”
Jesus Christ
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.
Note: Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Emphasis is given in some scriptures
to show clarity or understanding and is not to take away from the inspirited
Word of God.
Disclaimer:
Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical
issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
What’s New This Week: Click
on the photo or link.
Experience
the Season Afresh with Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna
By
Lisa Curtis Higgs (Hardcover Edition)
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Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Gateway Bible.
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