2nd Sunday of Advent
Read Luke 1:46-55
Advent is a season of joy, as we anticipate and prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. This week’s Scripture passage is one of the most magnificent expressions of Advent joy to be found in Scripture, the song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55). Her hymn of praise and joy was prompted by a visit from the angel Gabriel, who told her that she would bear a son who would be named Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Jesus would be the Messiah, successor to the throne of David, that had been predicted and promised by the Old Testament prophets. Mary would carry in her womb the Son of God. Of His kingdom there would be no end. What an awesome prospect!
God chose Mary, a poor teenaged Jewish girl who lived in Nazareth and who was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter, to be blessed among women. The angels would announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds, a humble group, looked down upon by many. God exalts the lowly.
This song of Mary is traditionally known as the Magnificat, the opening word of the Latin text, which means to magnify. Mary’s song begins with the words My soul magnifies the Lord. The focus of Mary’s hymn is her joyful thankfulness and praise to God for His marvelous attributes and actions, that had so deeply blessed her. The blessing was not because of anything Mary had done, but because God Himself had chosen her.
What is the lesson for us in the joy expressed by Mary? Whatever our income level; whatever our occupation; whether we are a student or a senior saint; true joy emanates from God, our heavenly Father, and it is enhanced by our love and appreciation of who He is and what He did for us in sending His Son to us. Advent, the season of preparation is a great time for us to magnify our focus on our loving, heavenly Father, and to meditate on His provision for us through the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. In doing so, we can experience true joy as we anticipate the birth of our Savior.
~ Pastor John
When life is difficult or there are challenges before you, what brings you joy?
Mary faced the prospects of convincing her fiancé she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit; the whispers of people who knew she had become pregnant before she was married; and yet, she is full of joy and praises God. Why? Have you ever experienced anything like that in your life?
This week as you read and prepare for the third Sunday in Advent, ponder joy. Where does it come from and how can you find more of it?
Advent readings this week:
- Monday – Isaiah 24:1-16a; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
- Tuesday – Isaiah 41:14-20; Romans 15:14-21
- Wednesday – Genesis 15:1-18; Matthew 12:33-37
- Thursday – Ruth 1:6-18; 2 Peter 3:1-10
- Friday – Ruth 4:13-17; 2 Peter 11-18
- Saturday – 1 Samuel 2:1-8; Luke 3:1-18
- Sunday – Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 1:46b-55; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11