Title: Praise of Christmas
The content issue is approaching. I hope you have a blessed Christmas.
Today’s text is commonly called ‘Hymns of Maraah’. Mary, the mother of Jesus, visited Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. When they heard Mary's greetings, the child inside Elizabeth jumped. Elizabeth was also filled with the Holy Spirit and blessed Mary with a loud voice. “He called out with a loud voice, saying, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! What is this, when the mother of my lord comes to me? Blessed is the woman who has believed and has believed, for whatever the Lord has spoken to her will be fulfilled” (Luke 1:42-45).
This is a hymn that comes from the heart of Mary, who has received the grace of God to conceive Jesus, the savior of all mankind. I hope you will prepare for Christmas through the praise of Mary.
1. Let's give thanks and praise God's grace (verses 46-50).
1) Praise for your salvation (verses 46-47).
“And Mary said, My soul praises the Lord, and my heart rejoices in God my Saviour.”
2) Praise him for taking care of his lowliness (v. 48a)
“Because he looked upon the lowliness of the maidservant.”
3) Praise yourself for the blessings you have received (verses 48b-50).
“Behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. The mighty hat done great things for me; holy is his name, and mercy is spoken to them that fear from generation to generation.”
2. Let's praise God's just rule (verses 51-53)
“He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the powerful from above; he has exalted the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things; he has sent the rich away empty-handed.”
3. Let's praise the faithfulness of God who keeps the covenant (verses 54-55)
“He helped his servant Israel, and had mercy on him, and remembered it, just as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”