The word “Advent” is derived from Latin and means “coming” or “arrival.” It’s the four weeks leading up to Christmas when we remember the coming of Jesus. When we read the stories of Jesus’ birth found in the pages of the gospel of Luke, we get a glimpse of what it was like for the people who first witnessed the arrival of the Messiah.
For 400 years after the prophet Malachi in the Old Testament, God did not speak to the Jewish people by sending new prophets. Some people wondered if God had withdrawn completely. Yet, all the God-fearing Jews in Israel were waiting for God’s promised deliverer to come. It was a time of great expectation.
With the angel’s announcement that the Messiah, the anointed One, was now about to arrive, there was great rejoicing among those who received the message.
We will read of this rejoicing through people like Zechariah, who was filled with the Holy Spirit and burst into praise. His song is recorded in Luke 1:68-79 and also goes by the Latin name of “Benedictus.”
We will look at Simeon’s joyful words (the “Nunc Dimittis”) when he is allowed to see the infant Jesus, written in Luke 2:29-32.
Mary also sings a beautiful song called the “Magnificat,” in which she magnifies God, His character, and His deeds in her own life and throughout history (Luke 1:46-55).
Not even the angels can contain their amazement when they announce the good news to the shepherds. Their joyful chorus called “Gloria in Excelsis” is recorded in Luke 2:14.
As we spend the next four weeks preparing our hearts for Christmas, let’s pray that God will speak to us through His Word. Let’s ask Him to help us grow in the knowledge of His glory, a glory which Zechariah, Simeon, Mary, the angels, and even the shepherds saw unfold in the coming of Jesus Christ. It is a glory which shines so brightly through these songs and leads us to rejoice this Advent season.
Let’s study God’s Word together!
This blog post is part of our Rejoice series.
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