“The First Song of Christmas”

The First Song of Christmas

“Veiled in Flesh, the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity. Pleased as Man with Man to dwell; Jesus our

Immanuel” (Hark the Herald Angels Sing)

I. Promises then Silence

A. Old Testament Promises

““Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the

hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of

utter destruction.”” (Malachi 4:5–6)

B. 400 Years of Silence … Waiting … Preparing

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son” (Galatians 4:4)

II. Finally, God Speaks Again

A. To Zechariah in the Temple

“But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a

son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,

for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the

Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before

the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the

wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”” (Luke 1:13–17)

B. The Promise of John

“Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”” (Luke 1:18)

“The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this

good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my

words, which will come true at their proper time.”” (Luke 1:19–20)

“After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.” (Luke 1:24)

C. The Promise of the Lord

“And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the

disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”” (Luke 1:17)

D. Holy Spirit’s Confirmation

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a

loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored,

that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:41–43)

III. Zechariah’s Christmas Song – the Benedictus

A. “Praise Be” for the Incarnation

““Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.” (Lk 1:68)

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” (Colossians 2:9)

B. “Praise Be” for Grace

““Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of

salvation for us … salvation from our enemies … to show mercy … to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to

enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness …. to shine on those living in darkness … to guide our

feet into the path of peace.”” (Luke 1:68–79)