Sermon Tone Analysis

Who Was Miriam (Mary)

Details about Mariam

Girls had arranged marriages

They would be of marriage age from their first period

This was a great celebration

Most people would be married under the age of 20

A man would not have sexual intercourse with a young girl because it would affect her ability to have children, and the purpose was to have many children “Be fruitful and multiply”

Mary would have a been strong peasant girl

She most probably did not know how to read, like Joseph, but would have know most Bible stories because that was all the entertainment they had at the time and Bible stories would be told and acted out all the time

What did the people around her think when they found out she was pregnant?

This is one possible reason for her to go to see Elizabeth

People would have been talking because it was not easy to hide a pregnancy in those days.

There were rituals and customs in place.

She was faithful to God’s calling until the end.

The Song of Mariam

Luke 1:46-56 “And Mary said, “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior, because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant.

For from now on all generations will call me blessed, because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him.

He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts.

He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position; he has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.”

The Birth of Jesus

Mary was probably not about to give birth when she arrived at Bethlehem.

Luke 2:1-7 “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes.

This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Everyone went to his own town to be registered.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David.

He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

This name was given by the angel to Joseph, by giving Jesus a name Joseph was accepting him as his own son, no matter the circumstances of his birth.

Luke 2:25-33 “Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

So Simeon, directed by the Spirit, came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying, “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

So the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him.”

Mary listened to God’s calling and was faithful to Jesus all her life.

What is God calling you to be?

Will you answer his call no matter the circumstances, shame, ridicule, or anything else?

It doesn’t matter who you are God has a purpose for you.