Christian Reflection and Prayer

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my
spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47)
Read Luke 1:46-55.

 

One year in early December our old black-and-white
console television conked out on us. Mom covered
it with a white cloth and set up the manger scene on
top. On Christmas morning my parents lifted the
white cloth from the front of the set and suddenly we
had a brand new color television. Seeing all the
programs in color for the first time was amazing.

Mary had an experience something like that. First,
the angel's message, and now Elizabeth's greeting.
In response, she bursts out in praise, "My soul
magnifies the Lord!"

 

What a curious thing to say. She obviously doesn't
mean her soul or spirit has made God greater than
He already is. She means her mental image of God
has grown significantly. Previously, she thought
God would have sent His angel to the high priest's
daughter in Jerusalem or to a girl from a powerful,
influential and wealthy family. She surely didn't
think God would send an angel to a girl like her with
no fame, wealth or influence.

 

But God had noticed her -- a young, unknown girl
from an insignificant, little town that is never
mentioned throughout the entire Old Testament.
God chose her to be the mother of His Son.

When we recognize our unworthiness, our sin, our
failings, then God is ready to magnify Himself in our
eyes too. That's the secret of Christmas: the Christ
Child came to our world to take away our sin and
the punishment we deserve for it. Today He comes
to your house to live with you, give meaning to your
life, guard your ways, and even lead you through
death to life everlasting.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, I am amazed You would concern
Yourself with someone like me. Thank You for
sending Your Son to save me and promising me
eternal life for His sake. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the
hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the
house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-40)
Read Luke 1:39-45.

 

Christmas trips were always so much fun. It was exciting
to see the Christmas decorations as we walked up to the
front door. I loved stepping inside and seeing the Christmas
tree, along with all the toys my cousins or friends had
gotten for Christmas. Then we'd pull out a few toys of our
own that we had brought along.

 

A Christmas trip to her relative is the first step on Mary's
new path. She sets out to see her cousin Elizabeth, who
is miraculously pregnant in her old age. Mary quickly travels
from the area of Galilee to Zechariah's home in Judea. Filled
with excitement she walks up to Elizabeth's door. Beaming
with joy she greets her aged cousin-and gets the surprise
of her life.

 

In a loud and excited voice Elizabeth proclaims, "Blessed
are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your
womb!" (Luke 1:42b). Mary is shocked and delighted. She
hasn't even had the chance to say anything more than
"hello," and immediately Elizabeth knows everything. The
Holy Spirit has revealed to her that the Child just beginning
to grow in Mary's womb is actually God's Son.

What a comfort for Mary! She won't face the awkward
explanation of the circumstances concerning her pregnancy,
or have to convince the priest's wife this was all God's doing.
In an instant, before Mary can say anything, the Holy Spirit
has done it all. God has led her to the one couple able to fully
understand and appreciate the amazing things God has done
for her.

 

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank You for faithful people like Elizabeth
who believe Your promises and share our faith. Bring us
together this Christmas season that we may rejoice together
and share our wonder at Your amazing love in Jesus Christ.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord;
let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
Read Luke 1:36-38.

 

Did you ever open a Christmas present only to find
an empty box with a clue in it? Following that clue
led you out to the swing set, where another clue
sent you to the hall closet. From there you went out
to the garage, then up to the bedroom and, finally,
down to the basement, where your real present was
waiting for you.

The angel concludes his visit assuring Mary nothing
is impossible for God, pointing to Mary's own relative
Elizabeth as an example. Mary humbly offers herself
to God's wonderful plan. But she has no idea the
crazy path she will follow, as His plan unfolds in her
life. We will trace this path through this Christmas
season into the Lenten devotions, coming later this
winter.

 

But no matter what will happen, Mary trusts God, and
she is content to follow His path, wherever it may lead.
We can learn a lot from her attitude! Sometimes God's
will takes us down paths we are not expecting, paths
we sometimes do not even wish to go. But God
promises to be with us along the road. And we look
forward to a great present at the end: eternal life with
Him in our glorious and resurrected body, living in a
perfectly restored world.

 

Actually, Mary's Son Jesus did the same thing too.
When His Father asked Him to take the path of the
cross, Jesus said, "Not My will, but Yours be done"
(see Luke 22:42). He went to the cross, took our guilt
on Himself, and died in our place so that God could
look on us with love, favor and forgiveness.

 

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, sometimes Your
perfect plan for our life takes us down paths we would
not choose on our own. Give us faith and confidence
to trust You as Jesus did. In His Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)