Advent devotions: Dec. 23, 2017

Saturday December 23

Luke 1:46-55 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.’

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Mary begins this song with praise for the Lord, who has favored her above all others to become the mother of Jesus. She acknowledges her special relationship with the Lord - an unearned honor for a poor, humble, young girl.

The remainder of the song reminds us that Jesus came to preach the gospel to the poor (Luke 7:22). The Lord chooses the lowly, the humble, and sends the rich away empty. As Christians we are instructed to reject the idols of today's society: power, prestige, and the accumulation of vast wealth - impediments to receiving God's love and serving the Lord. We are called to care for the oppressed, the hungry, the disenfranchised. Do we, as Christians, see the image of God in all people? Do we ask, "How can we help?"

Prayer: Help us to seek and honor your presence in all your people. Let us be aware and respond to the needs of the less fortunate, not only in the Christmas season, but daily in our lives. Open our hearts to the needs of others. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen 

Joan Bradley