Songs of Christmas - The Father's Song

Luke 1:67-79 NIV 

[67] His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: [68] “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. [69] He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David [70] (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), [71] salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— [72] to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, [73] the oath he swore to our father Abraham: [74] to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear [75] in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. [76] And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, [77] to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, [78] because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven [79] to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.1.67-79.NIV)

Music has been a big part of Christmas celebrations for many years. In the past it might have been deeply theological songs that often were remixes of popular (sometimes drinking) songs with spiritual lyrics. Some were special compositions by accomplished musicians and songwriters. 

However, Christmas music has sometimes been the domain of the weird and bizarre. Like the time an outrageous children's TV character Mr Blobby got to number one in the UK. Or the time Bob the Builder fixed his way to the top of the charts. Or the time that a concerted campaign to prevent a reality TV show winner getting to number one got sweary, violent, rap-metal anthem ‘Killing In The Name' by Rage Against The Machine to the top of the charts. Or a while back, when a charity single stated that ‘We Built This City on Sausage Rolls'. 

One thing you have to say about the British music scene: it’s... well... eclectic. 

You might think that the chances of finding a weird song like ‘Last Night My Wife Hoovered My Head’ or ‘The Size Of A Cow' in Scripture is pretty thin. And you would be right. 

But that doesn’t mean that unusual songs can’t be found. 

And this song really is quite unusual. 

One of the things that makes this song unusual is its origins. We'll start therefore by examining A Song of Silence. 

A Song of Silence 

Luke 1:19-20 NIV 

[19] The angel said to him, “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. [20] 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 appointed time.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.1.19-20.NIV)

It’s always interesting to read about things that inspired hit songs. One famous hit was inspired by a road in Australia. Another by a guitar warm-up exercise. Others by the fall of the Berlin Wall.  

This song was inspired by a striking event that was so meaningful that the songwriter was struck dumb for at least nine months. 

Now, I am sure that you know the story well. And also that there are people you wish would be similarly afflicted. 

But allow me to summarise it for you (Luke 1:8-25). Elderly priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had no children, which was a massive shame in those days. Zechariah  was serving God at the Temple when he saw a vision of an angel who told him that Elizabeth would have a baby. Zechariah couldn’t believe what he had been promised and so was rendered mute until Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist. 

It’s a well known story. 

However, Luke is a quite brilliant writer with an eye for the underdog, being a Gentile himself. What is interesting in his account isn’t just that he records this incident, but that he does so in juxtaposition to the story of Mary, who received a similar vision about a coming baby and believed it. 

What we see here is an elderly priest, likely well educated and respected, a man of high standing, being rebuked for his lack of faith, while a kid from a no-name town in the middle of nowhere is commended for her faith. 

That ought to be striking.  

It reminds me of the words that Paul wrote to the Corinthians: 

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV 

[26] Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. [28] God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, [29] so that no one may boast before him. [30] It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. [31] Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/1co.1.26-31.NIV)

Luke reminded us right at the beginning of his Gospel that who you are doesn’t matter at all. It is profoundly irrelevant. What matters is who God is and if you believe in Him.

Christmas is for everyone, but specifically for those who believe: 

John 1:12-13 NIV 

[12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.1.12-13.NIV)

Christmas is not at all for those who wilfully choose not to believe and who choose their own solutions to the problems of life. Why should it be for them? It means nothing to them! 

So right at the beginning of our study, we learn from the origins of this song that it is faith that matters at Christmas – and, indeed, all the time – not our identity. 

Apart from a song of silence, what is also unusual about it is that it is A Song For Someone Else. 

A Song For Someone Else 

Luke 1:67-75 NIV 

[67] His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: [68] “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. [69] He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David [70] (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), [71] salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— [72] to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, [73] the oath he swore to our father Abraham: [74] to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear [75] in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.1.67-75.NIV)

From a human point of view, this is where things take a strange turn. 

Let me explain with an example. 

Let’s say you have a child who is performing in a school concert. They put a lot of effort into their performance. It’s clearly important to them. They do a good job. You are both proud of them and delighted in them. 

But there is one other kid in their year who is something of a musical virtuoso. Voice of an angel. Really talented on multiple instruments. And they know it. They are something of a show-off. 

Let’s say you go home with your child after the concert and spend the entire journey home raving about the talented kid in their class and not even mentioning your own child's performance. 

How would your child feel? 

Now let’s look at this song. It was sung at a very special time. Zechariah and Elizabeth had wanted a child for years. Now they had one. He was a source of great joy.  

Yet there are twelve verses in this song. Eight of those verses are about another child, and an unborn child at that. Only four are about their own son.  

If that had happened to any other child, it would be more than a little bit weird. 

But not to John the Baptist? 

Why? 

Because of the role these children were to play.  

These verses talk of Jesus as the Redeemer, the Saviour, the Bringer of Mercy, the Fulfiller of the Covenant, the Rescuer from sin. 

In short, the Promised Messiah. 

But John had a different mission, as we will see: 

Luke 1:16-17 NIV 

[16] He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. [17] And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.1.16-17.NIV)

His job was to prepare the way for Jesus, as was prophesied: 

Luke 3:1-6 NIV 

[1] In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— [2] during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. [3] He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [4] As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. [5] Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. [6] And all people will see God’s salvation.’ ” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.3.1-6.NIV)

And when the time came, John would step back and let Jesus take centre stage:

John 3:30 NIV 

[30] He must become greater; I must become less.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.3.30.NIV)

John freely admitted that he was not the Messiah: 

John 1:19-23 NIV 

[19] Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. [20] He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” [21] They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” [22] Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” [23] John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.1.19-23.NIV)

Zechariah’s focus on Jesus in his song instead of on the birth of his own miracle child set the tone for the Gospel story that was unfolding. 

It also lets us see how our lives should be. After all, as we saw ealier: 

Isaiah 42:8 NIV 

[8] “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.42.8.NIV)

John the Baptist was willing to share in the limelight for as long as was necessary, but was happy to step aside to let Jesus take the floor. Given what Jesus was about to do for him, and for us, that was right and proper. 

But do we have the humility to step aside and let God take the glory He deserves? 

Apart from the intriguing song of silence and someone else, we finally see that it was The Song for His Son. 

The Song for His Son 

Luke 1:76-79 NIV 

[76] And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, [77] to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, [78] because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven [79] to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.1.76-79.NIV)

My daughter is training to be a music teacher. Each day she wakes up with a clear purpose in mind and assignments to complete. When she is not working on university work, she is teaching two children piano and guitar as a private tutor. When she is not doing that, she is serving as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant. 

Each weekday at least seems to begin with two questions: ‘Will you be home for dinner?’ and ‘Will you be home late?’ 

She is a very busy woman. But each day she has a purpose. 

When you cease to have that sense of purpose, that is when you stop living and put yourself in the waiting room for the grave. 

John the Baptist had a purpose from before there was even a John the Baptist. His job was to prepare the way for Jesus. That was not a small responsibility. He wasn’t there to act as a PR guru or an advertising executive, or even an administrative assistant. He wasn’t there to prepare visas or hotels or tour riders for Jesus. 

No, he was there to prepare hearts.

Neither was he coming empty handed.  

As a husband of a Filipina, I have seen all sorts of interesting things at airports. I once saw a returning Overseas Filipino Worker checking in at an airport with a microwave oven in their hold luggage. Another with a stereo system. There is even an airline that actually used to waive their hold luggage limits for such workers. The mind boggled at what they would attempt to fly home with. 

But the blessings John brought were so much bigger: 

• Salvation 

• Forgiveness 

• Mercy 

• Light 

• Guidance 

And how would these things come? 

Luke 3:3 NIV 

[3] He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.3.3.NIV)

John’s message was one of repentance. Repentance is the only way to obtain these blessings. There is no other way. 

In case we are in any doubt, this is what Peter preached at Pentecost: 

Acts 2:38 NIV 

[38] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/act.2.38.NIV)

Jesus Himself preached it: 

Mark 1:14-15 NIV 

[14] After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. [15] “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.1.14-15.NIV)

Jesus gained for us all those blessings at the cross, and many, many more. But the only way we can gain those blessings is to repent of our sins and believe in Jesus. There is no other way. 

Just as our look into the silent context of these verse showed us the importance of having faith in God, and the first two thirds of Zechariah’s song showed us the importance of giving God the glory in humility, these verses teach the absolute essential nature of repentance to receive all that God has for us. 

This is the Gospel message. 

This is the Christmas message. .

Do we believe it? 

Conclusion 

Luke 1:19-20 NIV 

[19] The angel said to him, “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. [20] 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 appointed time.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.1.19-20.NIV)

My wife never fails to remind me of the time we almost missed our holiday flights. 

We had gone down to Manchester by train the night before and stayed up all night to catch an early morning flight. We had dozed on and off in the departure area but were still very tired. I had a number of apps tracking the flight. None of them picked up when boarding began. We only realised when the ‘Last Call' announcement sounded in the airport and we realised we had to dash to catch our flight... which was delayed anyway. 

We often reach the Christmas period burned out and low on energy. It’s easy to focus on getting our children to parties and events, or buying that Christmas gift a relative really wanted or dodging the scrum in supermarkets to buy food. 

If nothing else, The Song of the Father is a stern warning not to miss the message. 

It came loud and clear to Zechariah, but, paired years of his and his wife's inability to conceive, he could not believe what God was about to do. 

But God did it anyway. This song, which came from at least nine months of silence, may have been mostly about someone else's child before his own little miracle came into view, but it teaches us so much about what it really means to be a follower of Jesus. 

In particular, it tells us of the amazing blessings that come our way when we believe. 

Zechariah had trouble believing that God could rule over natural processes. He was about to do so much more. 

So tell me: do you believe? 

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, I get the message. Here and now I repent of everything I've done that’s hurt You. I believe in You. I will live my life to follow You. Amen. 

Questions for Contemplation

• Why was Zechariah made mute for at least six months? What can we learn from this? 

• Why is two thirds of his song about someone else's child? What does this tell us? 

• Who was his child? Why was he important? What was his message? Do you believe it?