“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.’”
Luke 1:46-48
Think of some of the best times you’ve known during the holidays. The joy you may have felt on a December 25 morning, at an inspiring Christmas concert, or in the kitchen where Grandma was baking can lure you into thinking It doesn’t get better than this. But friend, it does get better than this!
When we look again at Mary’s song, we see that at the very center of her being was not a set of rules, a list of accomplishments, or an inventory of all she’d accumulated. Her full joy was in Jesus. The Lord had noticed her—a lowly young woman, marginalized in society—and had paid attention to her.
She knew that along with God’s judgment on the present world, there also was the merciful promise of a Savior, a Savior she needed. From her lips flowed her words of praise recalling the beginning of the Lord’s kindness and care of His people Israel, from Abraham and to his descendants forever. You and I have been grafted into this family. He comes to us, sinful and lowly as we are. With Jesus at the center, our joy goes deeper than words can tell.
When we look again at Mary’s song, we see that at the very center of her being was not a set of rules, a list of accomplishments, or an inventory of all she’d accumulated. Her full joy was in Jesus. The Lord had noticed her—a lowly young woman, marginalized in society—and had paid attention to her.
She knew that along with God’s judgment on the present world, there also was the merciful promise of a Savior, a Savior she needed. From her lips flowed her words of praise recalling the beginning of the Lord’s kindness and care of His people Israel, from Abraham and to his descendants forever. You and I have been grafted into this family. He comes to us, sinful and lowly as we are. With Jesus at the center, our joy goes deeper than words can tell.
Scripture Focus
Psalm 100
Insight
Real, lasting joy does not rest on the trappings and frills of Christmas. It rests on our Savior, Jesus, who came to be with us.
Bible In A Year
- Daniel 5-6
- Proverbs 7
- Hebrews 9-10