Check out all the previous Christmas readings here.

Christmas Reading Plan | Week 4 | Day 3

Prayer

God in the middle of the busy preparing today, help me to focus on you and what you would have for me today.

Bible Reading: Luke 1:39-55

Read these verses three times slowly.

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

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.”

Reflection & Questions

Merry Christmas Eve! Can you believe it’s just one more day until presents, Christmas cookies, and trying to get along with your inlaws for one whole morning without losing your mind? I know, it’s hard to believe. Makes you want to scream, mostly for joy right? Well how about we sing instead.

This section of the Bible is known as Mary’s song or the really cool thing to call it “The Magnificant,” which means “my soul magnifies the Lord,” in Latin. Mary takes this moment where she meets with her cousin, to show just how revolutionary the birth of Jesus is going to be, and ultimately how it brings more glory to God.

Her song points to three revolutions that Jesus’ arrival brings to the world. First the revolution of humble over the proud when she says, “he has scattered the proud.” Second, the revolution of the weak over the strong when she says, “He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly” because the son of a carpenter would be king over every throne for all eternity. Finally, the poor over the rich because: “He has satisfied the hungry with the good things and sent the rich away empty.” In light of eternity we have nothing except for Jesus. Mary recognizes the transformative nature of the moment for all of humanity. Things are going to change forever and she is in awe that the Lord would use her.

At Christmas, when family is gathered together is a perfect moment to thank God for how great He is. How he turned our world upside down with Christ’s arrival and how we can play a part in sharing that good news. Maybe it’s making your own Mary Christmas song?

1. What has Jesus revolutionized your life?
2. In what ways do you think it would be good to share this revolution with someone else?

Prayer

God thank you for the ways in which you have revolutionized my life. Help me to share that truth with others this Christmas like Mary did.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?