Luke 1:46-55 (NIV)
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.”
What’s your favorite Christmas music? How about your favorite Christmas Carroll? Do you have a favorite song? When you hear that song what comes to mind?
Growing up an only child I traveled a lot with my parents. I hung around more adults than kids. My daddy’s cousin, Ann, had no children and no husband. She was a single woman who worked hard and lived in an amazing house. I loved her house. It was quite contemporary for the times. Plus, she had a maid. I loved visiting her.
She would fix the couch for me when we spent the night. It made me feel so grown up. She had a stereo in her living that she would play Perry Como, Bing Crosby, and Dean Martin records on for me. This became some of the music I grew up with and loved. Ann (on the left), her mother Aunt Annie (holding me), and me! I always thought of Ann as so elegant. She introduced me to a style of music I love to this day.
My parents loved to travel around and visit family and friends. Heidi and Earl lived in North Carolina in a beautiful spot in the mountains. Again, they had no children so I became their rent-a-kid. I loved them dearly. Like Ann, they made the couch up for me to sleep on and they too had a stereo in their living room. The music of choice was Peter, Paul, and Mary. Heidi would play their records for me and I would fall asleep to their beautiful folk-style harmonies.
Music has always been a big part of my family. It’s always fun to see what Christmas music people love most. My oldest daughter, Sandi, always loved “The Little Drummer Boy.” My middle daughter, Noel, loved…wait for it… “The First Noel.” My youngest daughter, Ashlee, loved “Jingle Bells.” As for me, my favorite is “Mary Did You Know.” Songs have a special place in our hearts. Memories flood in and put us in a special place when we hear them.
In this scripture, we see exactly what Mary knew. She visits Elizabeth and discovers that Elizabeth is pregnant. The child leaps in Elizabeth’s womb when she greets Mary.
Mary knew that she mattered to God and it was stunning to her that a poor peasant girl would be chosen by God to give birth to the Messiah. What a powerful moment.
Have you ever been in a place where you realized you mattered to God? There are no insignificant lives. We are children of God made us in His image. He loves us with a love we can’t comprehend. When we realize we matter it’s like being pinged by a ray of sunlight.
Mary knew the greatness of God. She knew His power do you hear that? Mary knew the child she was carrying would transform the world. She knew God was setting things right. God is about the business of transforming us into His image. Mary knew this. She knew God was taking things broken and making them right.
So what’s your song? Not one already written but one you write yourself.
Do you hear what I hear? It’s a song about joy and hope. It’s a song that’s in your heart.
The birth of Jesus is for you.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
And that’s what I learned in Church……see ya next time!
