Read: 1 Samuel 1, 2 (Hannah's Song) and Luke 1:46-56 (Mary's Song)
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Questions by Pastor Steve Sweet (Preaching Pastor on Sunday, December 4, 2011)
- Who was a musician that you connected with in your youth? What do you think it was about their music?
- What is it about music that has the ability to reach us deep within? What kind of music causes you to sing along?
- Like Hannah in I Samuel 1 & 2, what is a recent prayer request that you have earnestly brought before the Lord?
- Steve said, “No issue too small, no problem too big, to bring before the Lord in worship.” Can you relate to that in your life right now?
- Reading Luke 1:46-56, what was Mary’s response to the news that she would give birth to the Messiah?
- What are the similarities in Hannah and Mary’s songs?
- How would it be for you right now to hear the Lord say your name?
Prayer
O God, rejoicing, we remember the promise of your Son. As the light from these two Advent candles, may the blessing of Christ come upon us, brightening our way and guiding us by his truth. May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of our world, and to us, as we wait for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Q5. I absolutely love Mary's response to the angel's visit. When I was a child, I remember that the minister in my church called it "The Magnificat". I think of it as magnificent. She had no fear! She just wanted to focus her eyes on her God. How gracious and humble she was. What an inspiration and example she is of how to receive what God brings to me.
ReplyDeleteEdie Krampe