1.3.3 12.17.2023 Mary’s Anthem Luke 1.46-55

Start:

Entice: I love Christmas music. I began spinning Christmas tunes back in October, albeit instrumental Jazz which to many of you all sounds the same anyway.

Luke’s Christmas stories have more songs per capita than any other part of the NT. These songs, traditionally called canticles, relate to the extraordinary new way God will be working, first in the ministry of John and then, finally and for all time in the ministry, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The songs sung in Luke 1 and 2 began a tradition that we continue.

Thanking,

praising,

exalting,

and

calling upon God

is an elementary part of Christian worship. Jesus completes the model for public worship when He institutes the Lord’s Supper which links the cradle to the cross.

Engage: But first—He’s gotta get born! And before He is born comes the process of disclosure

Luke 1:39–45 ESV

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Now,Elizabeth knows. She knows what Mary has been told. She knows that her own son, will be subordinate to Mary’s and that

somehow,

in some way

the Son born to Mary would be the very redeeming presence of God in flesh.

Expand: In response to Elizabeth’s Holy Spirit inspired words, Mary sings praise to God. It is fitting that one of the first “hymns” associated with Christmas comes to us in the voice of Mary.

Before the baby’s first cry,

before the first diaper change,

before the first feeding,

before anything.

Right then and there during the visit with Elizabeth, the whole pageantry of Christmas song begins.

As Mary entered the house, the baby in her womb jumped and Elizabeth knew. They celebrated together their two sons and the new age dawning with the coming of the Lord of all, the Christ. The theme of Mary’s Christmas song—as should be the theme at the heart of all our songs of celebration is Jesus, the incarnate Son who comes into our fallen world to lift us up.

Explore:

The message of our Christmas praise should be our Saving God.

Expand: Our praise should harmonize with Mary’s focused praise of God’s deeds. We life our voices around several divine themes.

Body of Sermon:

1 God’s Saving Work.

Luke 1:46–48 (ESV)

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant…

1.1 We follow Mary in magnifying the mighty one.

1.2 We follow Mary in expressing Joy.

1.3 We follow Mary in sharing in the Blessings of salvation.

next, we sing about

2 God’s Saving Character.

Luke 1:48–50 (ESV)

48b… For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

2.1 His Concern.

2.2 His Might.

2.3 His Mercy.

next we praise

3 God’s Saving Justice.

Luke 1:51–53 ESV

51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

The theme of the great reversal which will be a central part of Jesus ministry is noted here before His birth.

3.1 The council of the proud is scattered.

3.2 The mighty are dethroned.

3.3 The hungry, weak, meek, and disenfranchised are exalted and filled.

finally we celebrate

4 God’s Saving Story.

Luke 1:54–55 ESV

54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

4.1 The story of Israel comes to a close in God’s Mercy.

4.2 The promises to Abraham are fulfilled.

Shut Down

That day the lonely, faithful virgin found an ally in Elizabeth. Soon it would be time to share the news with Joseph. There would be stress and recriminations from his family and hers. Ultimately Joseph believed her and believed in her and proceeded with the marriage. Soon they would make the inconvenient trip to Bethlehem, God’s promise would come to pass—and the Word would become flesh.

There would be more singing,

a heavenly chorus of angels,

and 2000 years later the world is filled with

choruses,

anthems,

hymns,

and

carols of praise

to that virgin mother’s little boy.

The praise which began so many years ago continues in our time and place through our voices and that Child is still Lord of all.

But

Is He your Lord?

God’s word for today must take root in each heart as every individual responds in faith. Have you, responded? Will you? Why not now?