Christmas

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Christmas Reading Plan | Week 2 Day 3

Prayer

Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Pray that God would open your eyes to wonderful things from His word today.

Bible Reading: Luke 1:46-56

Read these verses three times slowly.

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.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Reflection & Questions

These verses are known as Mary’s song, that she spoke (or maybe sung?!) when she met with Elizabeth. They are powerful and revealing words about the nature of God and His relationship to mankind. Here are five things we see about God in Mary’s song

• God knows us: Mary says, “he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.” It is an amazing thing that God has been mindful of her. Not only is He divine and she is human, but also she wasn’t rich, powerful or important. God knows us, and not just the important or powerful among us, but everyone of us and is mindful of us.
• God shows mercy: Mary says, “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” That the maker of the universe looks upon HIs broken creation with mercy is incredible. We don’t deserve it, but those who are humble before Him receive mercy.
• God is powerful: Mary says, “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm.” Mary has experienced this with her own eyes and in conceiving a son. But since the beginning of time God has shown His power through creation and through miracles. He is just as powerful today and we can pray to Him knowing that He has the power to do more than we can ask or imagine.
• God values the underdog: Mary says that God lifts up “the humble” and fills “the hungry with good things.” He has “brought down rulers” and “sent the rich away empty.” God does not look kindly on those who think they are “all that.” It is those who know they need Him, who are humble. This is a good warning for us who live in the richest nation in the world – it doesn’t mean we are excluded, but it does mean we need to be careful in our position of pride and thinking we don’t need Him.
• God keeps His promises: Mary says that God has shown mercy “just as He promised.” This is our God. And as He has promised eternal life to those who trust in Him, He will deliver on that. God keeps His promises.

This is our God! His character is so beautifully different from what many think. Let’s be those who speak of His real character, just like Mary.

1. What word or phrase from Mary’s song sticks out to you today? Why?
2. What aspect of God’s character encourages you today? Why?

Prayer

Talk to God in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?