Christian Reflection and Prayer

O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. O come ye,
O come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, born
the King of angels.

O come, let us adore Him
 
    Christ, the Lord!

John Francis Wade made his living copying manuscripts
by hand.  Wade become famous for his artistic callgraphy,
and he had a knack for copying music as well.  Scholars
have debated whether Wade merely copied this Christmas
hymn, or whether he actually wrote it.  But recent
scholarship indicates that he did, in fact, write the hymn.

    It was originally written in Latin as "Adeste Fidelus."  
Wade was a Roman Catholic, and all services in the church
were conducted were in Latin.  In 1750 he slipped the hymn
into a manuscript he was copying for the English Catholic
College in Lisbon, Portugal.  Over thirty years later in 1785,
it was sent to the Portuguese chaped in London.  The Duke
of Leeds heard it sung there and included it in the repetoire
of his own singing group.  It soon become known around
the world.
(Read Luke 2:15-18)

Read Luke 1:51-55. TEXT: (Mary said) "He has brought down
the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble
estate" (Luke 1:52).

Advent   Mary continues her song of praise to God. She points
out something her Son Jesus will frequently speak about in His
ministry: God humbles those who exalt themselves, and He
raises up those who bow themselves low.

Many people are proud of themselves and their accomplishments.
They brag and puff themselves up, always trying to impress people.
They think God is the same way. But God is completely different.

He gives His Law to make us honest with ourselves, to humble us
with the realization that we fail to live the lives He demands of His
creatures. None of us can stand in confidence before God. It is the
purpose of His Law to break our hearts, and put us on our knees.

But that isn't where God wants to leave us. The good news of
Christmas is that in His love our Heavenly Father sent His dear
Son Jesus Christ to lift us to our feet. Jesus forgives our sins and
takes the punishment for our disobedience upon Himself.

Mary's wonderful song of God's goodness and salvation has been
picked up by the church and incorporated into its order of worship
or liturgy for centuries. You may well sing it during midweek Advent
services.

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank You for humbling our pride through Your
Law so that You may lift us up by Your grace in Jesus Christ, Your
Son. Open my heart to the wonder of Your mercy shown so clearly
as You sent Your Son Jesus to be one of us. In His Name. Amen.

( Wayne Palmer Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Read Luke 1:46-50. TEXT: (Mary said) "And His mercy is for
those who fear Him from generation to generation" (Luke 1:50).

Advent    Mary is overwhelmed by all God has done for her. For
the visit of the angel Gabriel, for the Christ Child growing in her
womb, for Elizabeth's Spirit-led greeting. Now she can't keep
her gratitude and praise inside.

She begins, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices
in God my Savior." That word "magnifies" is interesting. It
means that Mary's perception of who God is has grown
significantly. She speaks about her former "humble estate."
Perhaps she felt as we do at times--lost in the shuffle of life,
unnoticed by God. But in an amazing way God has noticed
and done great things for her, choosing her to be the mother
of His own Son.

Mary testifies that God has mercy on those who fear Him.
What exactly does it mean to fear the Lord? Is it to fear Him
as a tyrannical, impulsive ruler? Is it to think of Him as an
abusive father? Mary is talking more about the kind of fear
we feel toward a good-hearted father we love and respect.
We fear to stir his anger by breaking his rules, even more,
we fear disappointing him, letting him down.

Those who don't love and fear God treat His holiness and
laws indifferently, treading His works and ways underfoot.
But for us who love and fear Him, who humble ourselves
before Him, God is merciful. He knows our weakness and
failings, but He sends His Son to save us.

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, give me Your Holy Spirit that I may love,
fear and trust in You for the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ.
I pray this in His Name. Amen

( Wayne Palmer Lutheran Hour Ministries)