Luke 1:46-55 † A Very Mary Christmas Carol

Luke 1:46–55 “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. 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. 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. 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.””

INTRODUCTION

What do your songs say about you? [Spotify Wrapped Picture]

THE CONTENT

God’s Character

1. God is Mighty.

Luke 1:49 “for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

Luke 1:51 “He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;”

Think of God’s power in creating, sustaining, and rescuing his people throughout the Bible.

Think of the miracles of Christmas & God’s power to accomplish his will.

2. God is Holy.

Luke 1:49 “for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

God is altogether “set apart” in his perfection and character. Jesus is the perfect display of the Holy Character of God.

3. God is Merciful.

The problem if God is holy and powerful: How can anyone stand before him?

Psalm 130:3–4 “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.”

Luke 1:50 “And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.”

Dictionary of Bible Themes (6686 mercy)

“A quality of compassion… (where) God shields sinners from what they deserve and gives gifts that they do not deserve.”

4. God is Personal.

Luke 1:55 “as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.””

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Hebrews 1:1–2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…”

God hasn’t left us to figure out who he is alone in the dark. He has spoken, particularly and clearly through Jesus Christ.

Pause and reflect: the God who is all-powerful, all-merciful, and all-holy desires personal relationship and conversation with you.

God’s Activity

Mary’s song reminds us both of the character AND activity of God.

1. God Sees.

Luke 1:48 “for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;”

God saw Mary, the Shepherds, the wise men from a foreign nation, and he sees you and me.

God sees with perfect clarity, perspective, and position. [How might seeing like God cripple a human?]

2. God Saves.

A question that arises: “If God sees all, why doesn’t he stop what isn’t good and beautiful?”

God is on record as Savior. He has sent Christ Jesus to redeem and restore all that is broken.

Luke 1:47 “and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”

3. God “Flips the Script”

Google Search, “Flip the Script”

“A reversal of the usual or existing positions in a situation.”

Luke 1:51–53 “He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”

“O Holy Night”

“Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, and in his name all oppression shall cease.”

Are we comfortable with a Jesus who sends us to heaven but doesn’t desire justice and peace on earth?

THE CALL

How does knowing who God is and how he has acted lead us to respond to the call to trust in him?

Magnify the Lord in Your Soul

Luke 1:46 “And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,”

Synonyms for “Magnify”

“To make large, to expand, to highly honor, to regard as important.”

“Zooming in” on pictures > How do we “Zoom in” on God’s face?

Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

Rejoice in God Your Savior

1. Dwell in God’s Word.

Mary’s understanding and quotations of the Old Testament reveal a deep connection to God through knowing his word.

How can we engage dwelling in God’s word individually and as an extended faith family this season?

2. Sing About God’s Character and Activity

Mary’s “song” reads like the Psalms and praises of the Old Testament.

God has gifted us with music and lyrics that connect to our hearts and instruct our minds.

How will we “sing” the truth of the gospel?

3. Act Out God’s Revolutionary Generosity

Luke 1:53 “he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”

Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,”

What would it look like if we truly believed that it was more joy-filling to give than to receive?

Who can we show the revolutionary generosity of God toward this season?

CONCLUSION

Back to “What do your songs say about you?”

How does this song of praise help you to “tune your heart” to God’s grace today?

PASTORAL PRAYER

God, our Father, we stand before you today in awe of your awesome and powerful grace toward us. Jesus, we are overwhelmed by the miracle of your incarnation. Holy Spirit, we are thankful that you are here with us now to convince and convict our souls of the truth of the Scripture. God, your love toward us is unmeasurable. Our salvation could only be accomplished by your coming into the mess of our sinful world and the spilling of the blood of Jesus, the Perfect Lamb. We want, like Mary, for our souls to magnify you! Help us to zoom in on your goodness and your saving works this week. Give us a new passion and delight in your word and your people even in this moment. Help us in this season to be filled with commitment in our hearts to engage your word, to sing your songs, and to joyfully reflect your generosity. Lord, we pray for the poor, the sick, the oppressed, and the hungry among us and around us. We recognize that there are both spiritually impoverished people and materially impoverished people. Give us a heart for them all. We ask that you would meet the needs of our souls, our bodies, and our church family. You have the power and resources to provide abundantly more than we can fathom. Show your might and strength to us even as we wait for your provision. Go with us the rest of our day and until we come back together help us to represent your name and our faith family with authentic gospel joy. Be glorified, God! In Jesus name. By the Spirit’s power. Amen.