Advent Continued

After spending another couple days in concert land (including improvising somewhat questionably on my horn), God has reminded me about the real reason for the season. Oh yes, music is a worship language for our one and only Savior, who came to earth to rescue us. But He is the one who invites us to sing and play and worship. He is our greatest gift!

Day 3 Why Mary?

Here she was, a young girl about to be married a carpenter named Joseph, when the angel appears to her. Luke 1:26-38 captures the moment and answers this question.

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. (NIV)

Day 4 Why the Song of Mary?

Mary’s response reminds me of Abram’s first encounter with God, trust and belief in the miracle of God’s presence and His promise. Luke next picks up with Mary hurrying to her relative Elizabeth who also experiences God’s miraculous love and divine interruption. God speaks through her (v45)”…As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.”

Mary’s response, her song, is one of worship for the Lord and is filled with many scriptural references. Read Luke 1:46-56 and then look at Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Samuel’s mother). Amazing praise from two who look to the Lord so fully!