Advent – Week 3, Day 4 – Joy

ADVENT WEEK 3, DAY 4 – WE CAN HAVE JOY BECAUSE JESUS WAS BORN!

Scripture: Luke 1:44-45

“For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

While Mary was pregnant with Jesus, she traveled to see her cousin Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard her arrival, the baby she was carrying (John the Baptist) leaped in her womb.  That baby jumped because Mary had come to visit.  Elizabeth shouted out her excitement that the one God had found favor with to carry His son would come and visit her. Elizabeth did not feel worthy.

Elizabeth considered herself unworthy that the mother of Messiah should visit her (2 Sam. 24:21; cf. 2 Sam. 6:2–11). John the Baptist did not understand that Jesus was the Messiah until Jesus’ baptism (John 1:32–33). Elizabeth had done nothing to deserve this honor. Her inspired words reflect the superiority of Mary’s child over her own son.

 Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Lk 1:43.

In verses 46 – 55, Mary sings out a song of praise.  I encourage you to spend some time looking at this song and the words she has chosen for praising God.

Luke 1:46–55 (ESV)

⁴⁶And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 

⁴⁷and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

⁴⁸for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 

⁴⁹for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 

⁵⁰And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 

⁵¹He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 

⁵²he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 

⁵³he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 

⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 

⁵⁵as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

 

What joyful words do you hear in Mary’s Song? Discuss this as a family – how can we choose Joy today? 

Until tomorrow….. I love you all!

Miss Kim