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SUMMARY. This is the last Sunday before the celebration of Christmas and the birth of Christ. The advent season is a season of anticipation – anticipating the birth of Christ. No human likely could have anticipated Christ more than his pregnant mother, Mary. Here, she meets with her cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant with John the Baptist.
God has made Mary a promise. And, although the promise is not yet fulfilled, she rejoices in advance. She is confident in the promise of God and anticipates the arrival of God’s promise — the birth of Christ — in and through her. We should be the same way in our lives. Rejoicing in anticipation of the promises God has made in our lives-even in uncertain times.
CONTEXT. This text, Luke 1:46-55, is sometimes referred to as “The Magnificat.” It is Mary’s song of praise to the Lord in anticipation of his birth. Read verses 26-44 for background and the promises God made to Mary.
As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (v44)
Hearing the Voice of God. Mary heard the promises of God. We have to be sure we are hearing clearly the promises and possibilities that God has for us.
- How do we know that Mary listened and heard the word of God?
- What happens to the one who believes?
- Are we listening?
- How do we listen and hear them?
God Promises to Mary/You. What are the promises of God? Mary, because she listened, was aware of the promises of God in her life.
- What were the promises that God made to Mary?
- Ask yourself (and your God), what are the promises God has made over your life. Not just your wants . . . but what are the promises God has made to you? Are you listening?
“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.” Luke 1:46-49 NIV
Magnify the Lord and Rejoice. Mary believed. Her soul glorified the Lord and her spirit rejoiced. Give consideration to who God is, what God does and what God has promised in your life. As you reflect, feel your soul glorifying and magnifying . . . lift your spirit to a place of rejoicing! Holy is his name.
- Remember Mary rejoiced at the possibilities of the promise. The promise had not yet arrived. What or why do we think she praised and rejoiced even though the promise was not yet there?
- Are we able to praise God for the possibilities and the promise? Why or why not?
CONCLUSION. In this season of advent . . . of anticipation, we must be always be reminded of the amazing work of God in our lives. Mary praised the Lord as if what was promised had already come to pass. This is the place we must find ourselves . . . reminded of the promises of God and rejoicing in anticipation of when those promises will arrive.
DEFINITIONS
The Magnificat (Latin: [My soul] magnifies [the Lord])
Soul –> psuche –> breath, spirit, the animal sentient principle only thus distinguished on the one hand from G1451 (spirit) which is the rational and immortal soul . . .
Magnify/glorify –> megaluno –> to make (or declare) great, increase, enlarge, magnify shew great
Lord –> kurious –> supreme in authority, controller, God, Lord, master
Spirit –> pneuma –> a current of air, breath or breeze, a spirit, the raional soul, the vital principle, mental disposition
Rejoice –> agalliao –> to jump for joy, exult, be (exceeding) glad, with exceeding joy
