The First Christmas Song
Notes
Transcript
Today’s advent passage is a song from Mary in Luke 1:46-55.
46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
v46 - Magnifies - “to increase honor”
v47 - Mary needed a Savior
v48 - Mary acknowledges a common theme in scripture: God often uses people who are insignificant in the eyes of the world
Hannah, and her song in 1 Sam 2 is similar
Samuel then chooses the smallest brother in David
The apostles were of insignificant origin: fishermen, a tax collector
(God can use you too)
v49, 50 - Transition from personal salvation to widespread salvation
God’s Mercy is gifted to the world v50
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
God’s Mercy humbles the wise v51-52
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
God’s Mercy uplifts the weak v52-53
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,