The First Songs of Christmas: Mary’s Song of Praise

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”(Luke 1:28, NIV)
 

“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be” (Luke 1:29, NIV)

“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.(Luke 1:30, NIV) 

31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”(Luke 1:31-33, NIV)

“How can this be?”(Luke 1:34, NIV)

35 …The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”(Luke 1:35-37, NIV)

“I am the Lord’s servant. …May your word to me be fulfilled.”(Luke 1:38, NIV)

Key Point: Mary’s Response: Words of Praise

Key Point: She Revels in Wonder

46 … “My soul glorifies the Lord 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.(Luke 1:46-49, NIV)

Key Point: She Sees God’s Sovereignty

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.Luke 1:50-53, NIV)

Key Point: She Connects to the Covenant

54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1:54-55, NIV)

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”(Luke 1:32-33, NIV)

Key Point: Mary’s Response: A Surrendered Will

 “I am the Lord’s servant. …May your word to me be fulfilled.”(Luke 1:38, NIV)

Key Point: Our Response

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.(2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NLT)