Christmas day is quickly approaching, and I can feel the anticipation mounting. There is nervous energy everywhere you go. Parties galore and Hallmark movies, coupled with fudge and hot cocoa. The hype is building as we wait for the best day of the year!
Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew this feeling well. The tingling, excited, barely-can-wait-till-the-day kinda feeling. Read Luke 1:46-55.
“My soul magnifies the Lord” – I am overwhelmed by my wondrous Savior. He amplifies my soul and gives meaning to my life. Everything within me praises His name.
“My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” – Because of my right standing before God, I have great joy! Regardless of the chaos in my world, my spirit rejoices in my salvation which cannot be taken from me.
“He who is mighty has done great things for me” – May I recount all the marvelous things God has done for me. May my heart be filled with gratitude. He is mighty and He does great things.
“He is holy” – God is without sin…perfect and blameless. He is greater than me and my struggles. His ways are higher than my ways, and His thoughts higher than my thoughts. He is perfect in every way. He astounds the wise and the haughty by exalting the humble and the poor.
“His mercy is for those who fear Him” – God has showered us with mercy, the forgiveness of sins when we deserved to die. He generously pours out His mercy to those who revere His name. God is not partial to the rich and famous, who seek worldly treasure as a substitute to God. He throws the world’s economy upside down: loves the least of these, bestows mercy on the lowly, and grants grace to those who seek Him with all their heart.
This prayer is often referred to as “The Magnificent” because we see Mary pouring out lavish praise to God, her Lord and Savior. Her heart overflows with praise. And I want to live that way too…my cup pouring over lavishly, splashing on everyone around me.
How Do We Get There?
- Read the Word of God to discover who He is and what He can do.
- Recount all the blessings you have in your life (because honestly, God doesn’t owe you anything…and I betcha have a lot more than you think you do. If nothing else, you still have breath in your lungs today, which means God still has purpose for you).
- Reflect joy to those around. Think about others before thinking of yourself. They need Jesus….and they have the opportunity to see Him working in you.
What robs your joy? What are some ways we can put other’s needs before our own?
