A Reading:
Luke 1:46-56 (NASB)
46 And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
49 "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.
50 "And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.
51 "He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52 "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.
53 "He has filled the hungry with good things ; And sent away the rich empty-handed.
54 "He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever."
56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.
Advent Meditation:
Read the prayer/praise of Mary. It’s called the “Magnificat” – A magnificent proclamation of Mary's faith and hope. She is quoting Habakkuk, the prophet, who wrote similar words several hundred years before.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NASB)
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls,
18 Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places.
He ended this prophecy with words that say succinctly – “I do not know what is going to happen to me/us, but this I do know…I choose to trust and have hope in you Yahweh.”
This is Mary as the words spill forth in praise and adoration. She is humbled, God is mighty and merciful. She is awed by the honor of being chosen and links all of this back to the covenant promise of God through Abraham.
This is important. Our faith and hope don't rest on empty promises. They are founded on the faithfulness of God. It's the character of God that we "lean back into" and rest in. No matter what the circumstances surrounding our lives, God is faithful and we can rest/trust in him.
As we come to the end of this third week of Advent, where can we say, “O God, I don’t know what is going to happen with ___________, but I will trust in you, and in you and you alone, I put my hope.”
In 1524, Martin Luther penned the words to this old hymn as a way of giving testimony to the awesome character of Mary’s obedience. It’s worth reflecting on the words, and giving some time to reflecting on the character of our own obedience to Christ Jesus.
Now Praise we Christ, the Holy One,
The blessed virgin Mary’s Son,
Far as the glorious sun doth shine
E’en to the worlds remote confine.
All honor unto Christ be paid,
Pure offspring of the favored maid,
With Father and with Holy Ghost,
Til time in endless time be lost.
Prayer:
Father God, I know you to be gracious, merciful, kind and worthy of praise and trust. Please help me this day to turn my concerns and worries over to you and to rest in the hope that comes from your faithful love. I rest in you, even as Mary rested in humble submission before you also.
Luke 1:46-56 (NASB)
46 And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
49 "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.
50 "And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.
51 "He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52 "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.
53 "He has filled the hungry with good things ; And sent away the rich empty-handed.
54 "He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever."
56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.
Advent Meditation:
Read the prayer/praise of Mary. It’s called the “Magnificat” – A magnificent proclamation of Mary's faith and hope. She is quoting Habakkuk, the prophet, who wrote similar words several hundred years before.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NASB)
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls,
18 Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places.
He ended this prophecy with words that say succinctly – “I do not know what is going to happen to me/us, but this I do know…I choose to trust and have hope in you Yahweh.”
This is Mary as the words spill forth in praise and adoration. She is humbled, God is mighty and merciful. She is awed by the honor of being chosen and links all of this back to the covenant promise of God through Abraham.
This is important. Our faith and hope don't rest on empty promises. They are founded on the faithfulness of God. It's the character of God that we "lean back into" and rest in. No matter what the circumstances surrounding our lives, God is faithful and we can rest/trust in him.
As we come to the end of this third week of Advent, where can we say, “O God, I don’t know what is going to happen with ___________, but I will trust in you, and in you and you alone, I put my hope.”
In 1524, Martin Luther penned the words to this old hymn as a way of giving testimony to the awesome character of Mary’s obedience. It’s worth reflecting on the words, and giving some time to reflecting on the character of our own obedience to Christ Jesus.
Now Praise we Christ, the Holy One,
The blessed virgin Mary’s Son,
Far as the glorious sun doth shine
E’en to the worlds remote confine.
All honor unto Christ be paid,
Pure offspring of the favored maid,
With Father and with Holy Ghost,
Til time in endless time be lost.
Prayer:
Father God, I know you to be gracious, merciful, kind and worthy of praise and trust. Please help me this day to turn my concerns and worries over to you and to rest in the hope that comes from your faithful love. I rest in you, even as Mary rested in humble submission before you also.
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