The Songs of Christmas: 1. Gabriel's Song

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

A bass note is the foundation of a chord. By itself, the bass note sounds incomplete. You may not even notice the bass note in a piece of music because bass notes are rarely featured in a song. But, without a bass note a chord is not anchored and the sound is not complete.

So, in this song, we have the foundation of our story. It is not the major feature, but it sets the time, place, and people which God will bless the whole world with the birth of His Son.

Our bass notes then are :

The Sixth month - this is the 6th month of Mary’s cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy of John the Baptist.

Angel Gabriel one of only 3 angels who are named in the Bible. Michael, Satan, and Gabriel.

God - the triune creator of all things. The author of salvation.

Nazareth - a town in the region of Galilee.

Joseph - a godly and righteous man. a royal descendant of king David working as a carpenter.

Mary - a godly virgin engaged to Joseph.

From this line of bass notes, God builds this song.

Grace Note

Luke 1:28–30 NASB95

28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

a grace note is an ornamental note that accents the principle note. Mary is a grace note not only because she would accent or ornament her great son, Jesus, but also because she recieved undeserved favor from God to carry and give birth to our Lord.

Major Chord

Luke 1:31–33 NASB95

31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

house of Jacob means all the tribes of Israel. The nation as a whole not just the divided kingdom, but the unified people of God.

Anticipation - this is what the Jews had been waiting for. Mary was waiting for Him. Joseph was waiting for Him

We need to anticipate the coming of Jesus as well especially this Christmas season.

Dissonant Note

Luke 1:34–37 NASB95

34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36 “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

With one note a major chord can be changed into the sound of tension and uncertainty. This is a dissonant note. In our song Mary sings this dissonant note of wonder and confusion.

Consonant Resolve

Luke 1:38 NASB95

38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary surrendered herself body, soul, and mind to God’s plan. She had faith in God and knew that God’s plan was the best plan, the most righteous plan.