2nd Sunday of Advent

2nd Sun. Advent

Luke 1:46–55 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. 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.”

Not an immediate response…of praise...

—> I will do it

—> there is trust in what the Angel says

—> God’s word is confirmed through those around us

—> Elizabeth

—> John the Baptist

—> Hearing the call, accepting the call, others reaffirming

—> Leads us to a place of not only full acceptance but praise

—> What God wants to do isn’t about Mary…just like what God wants us to do isn’t about us.

—> Mary acknowledges who she is and what God is doing.

Luke 1:48 ESV

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

Luke 1:49 ESV

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

—> We have a false sense of blessing, a false reality of what blessing is. We aren’t blessed for our sake we are blessed for the sake of others.

—> Mary’s blessing was for all people throughout all time… and she knew it.

Luke 1:50 ESV

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

—>

—> In a week or 2 weeks time Mary has recieved the revelation and blessing of being the Mother of the Messiah. She is tasked with partnering with God to bring Jesus into the world.

—> This is the same thing we are supposed to do. We as Christians, we as the Church partner with God to bring Jesus to our world.

—> Advent, the Season of anticipation or preparation is upon us, how will you respond.

—> We are not all like Mary and we will be known by all people from generation to generation for being Jesus’ mom. That’s no in the cards for 99.9% of us...

—> However, we can all be a blessing to someone because we have already been blessed.

—> Be a blessing like Elizabeth. Give encouragement to others that are trying to be who God has called them to be.

—> Be a blessing like John. Yes, John the unborn baby, John gave encouragement to Elizabeth and Mary not in words but in his actions and joy that was expressed without words. Be positive and encouraging in all things.

—> Or maybe you will be a blessing like Mary. Maybe you will be the one that brings Jesus to someone and it changes them from Generation to Generation. It only takes one person to make a difference that can change the course of history.

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