Christmas is less than a week away, and I envy anyone that already has their to-do list completed. If you are like me, you have over committed yourself to a never ending to-do list and are scrambling to get it all done. It is so easy for our joy to be robbed during this important season and easily have a heart that is over taken with complaints. Today, I needed to refocus and spend time with the Lord. Maybe you are like me and need to take a few moments and spend time with the Lord before you start out to conquer your to-do list. Here is an excerpt from my advent devotional I wanted to share with you.
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Do you ever sit and think how Mary must have felt after the angel Gabriel appeared to her, who was a virgin and promised to be married, that she will be with child and give birth to God’s son? We can not humanly imagine the fear that swept over her. How lonely she must have felt, or how scared she was to face the next day. Who would believe her? What would they do to her? How was Joesph to handle this? Her family would see her as a disgrace. How was she going to face this?
God chose Mary. He chose a young poor girl, to be mother of his son, The Messiah. He chose the least of these to be the mother of the King of Kings. However, even though she was chosen by God to carry out an honorable task, this news was going to bring her ridicule and much pain. It would be years to come that her name would be ultimately cleared and then praised. However, this chosen girl decided to submit to God’s plan and she decided to obey God.
We read in Luke 1:46-55, Mary’s Song, also known as Magnificat. In the depths of uncertainty and loneliness, Mary sang praises to God.
Mary’s Song
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
Mary recognized that God had a plan for her and she submitted to his authority and called out to him shouting and rejoicing. And like Mary, we too should sing praises to God this advent season that he sent his son once to this earth and he will send him again. What other praises should you be singing to God this season?