THINK TOGETHER
Have you ever just felt like singing?
READ TOGETHER
When Mary heard from the angel that she would be the mother of Jesus she had questions – “How can his be?” she asked. But then Mary went to see her cousin Elizabeth who was also going to have a baby, John the Baptist. And when Elizabeth saw Mary she called her “blessed among women.” And in that moment Mary knew that the baby she was going to have was God’s hero sent to save the world. And she just couldn’t keep herself from singing. And this was her song:
Luke 1:46-55. 46And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Notice in her song that Mary doesn’t talk about herself a lot. She sings about God. She sings about how loving and powerful God is. She also sings about her need, and everyone’s need for a savior – and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
And here’s the good news that Mary understands: God is powerful (he who is mighty has done great things for me) so he can save us from sin; God is holy (and holy is his name) so he must save us from sin; God is merciful (And his mercy is for those who fear him) so he wants to save us from sin.
That’s why God sent Jesus to be born for us. God’s power allowed him to become a man, his holiness required him to become a man, and his love for us made him want to become a man. The man Jesus. The baby Jesus born of Mary so that we too might be saved by God just like Mary was.
Because of Jesus we can be saved and exalted by God when we receive him.
With Jesus we can magnify the Lord just like Mary did.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Listen to Magnificat by Rain for Roots together.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, you humbled yourself and received us so I can receive you. Amen.
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