Luke 1:46-50
– And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. “AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.
Imagine, if you can, the first time you held and looked at an infant. Maybe that infant was your own, or someone else’s, still the miracle of that human being who was not on this earth yesterday, is here in your arms today! I have felt that overwhelming blessing several times in my life. Twice with my sons, and four times with my grandchildren. It is a feeling like none other knowing you are holding in your arms, the hope for the future! Adoration and overwhelming love! That is what we celebrate on the fourth Sunday of Advent.
Imaging now, Mary. Just a teen. Her Mom may have even been still birthing brothers and sisters Mary was caring for. She is carrying a baby inside her. Not just any baby, but a baby that the Holy Spirit placed inside her in a miraculous way. When she goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is expecting John (the Baptizer), the baby ‘quickens’ or moves within her, as he recognized Jesus in Mary’s womb. When this happens, Mary realizes, once again, she is not carrying an ordinary child! She praises God with what has become known as the ‘Magnificat’, or Mary’s praise. Luke 1:46-50
Later, when Mary holds her infant son, she is overwhelmed by the events of his birth. Oh, not the actual labor and delivery, but the visitors! Here in front of this animal shed come shepherds who found out about the event from the multitude of angels hanging around in the sky! Mary’s feelings, once again overflow with love; Luke 2:19 Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.
In all of our imaginings I don’t believe we could come close to the adoration and love that Mary had for Jesus that night. Hopefully we can come close to that love for Jesus as we think about His wonderful life of servant-hood, and sacrifice. Hopefully we can feel that love and adoration as we meditate on our own experience with that one miraculous baby!
Question; What feelings are evoked in your heart on this fourth Sunday in advent?
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