A Baby Shower to Remember

Favor with God

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’” – Luke 1:30

Mary had reason to be startled.

She was seeing an angel. She had probably never seen one before. But even if the angel looked like an ordinary man, she might have been taken off-guard.

She needed to be reassured.

Someone big was about to happen, something new, and something dramatic. And yet, it was the fulfillment of a very old promise:

“'I will establish your descendants forever and build your throne for all generations.'" – Psalm 89:4

Mary had grown up with that hymn and that hope. She had sung it all her life.

"I have set the crown on one who is mighty, I have exalted one chosen from the people.” – Psalm 89:19

Mary knew that God chooses people from among the people to do his work in the world. Even his only begotten son would come from among the people and would have an earthly mother. But how could Mary have imagined it would be her?

We all believe that God will use people, but we do not expect to be those people.

One day, when Mary was minding her own business, an angel appeared and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."

Verse 29 says, “But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.”

That is when he told her not to be afraid.

She had found favor with God.

The angel told her:

“You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

Mary had questions about her role, her life, her reputation, the possibility of this miracle, and everything associated with this calling, but the answer was simple: “For nothing will be impossible with God."

People say that Christmas is a time when anything is possible. God proved that to Mary.

Leaping Babies

"And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost ... For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy." - Luke 1:41, 44

THE BABE LEAPED

I have never been an expectant mother and never will be. I have been around many, but none as significant as the mother of John the Baptist, aged and thrilled and the Mother of Jesus, young and virginal.

Both in the same room is an event!

I am told that the movements of a baby in the womb can be quite dramatic and are often very exciting for the mom-to-be.

This was the first time that John was ever in the presence of his cousin and his Lord. His entire life would be about announcing the coming of this Messiah, preparing His way, and making His path smooth.

Two boys, yet to be born were brought together by their mothers and there was a celebration.

Before he could really know anything, John experienced the joy of Advent and Christmas. Within his mother's womb, he leaped for joy.

Can you imagine?

He was dancing already.

He celebrated Christmas before Christmas.

He was anticipating his life mission and embracing it with enthusiasm. His life button had been pushed. He could not understand it, articulate it, or fully experience it, but something inside him sensed it.

He was in the presence of his purpose for living.

And so are we. That is the meaning of Advent and Christmas. Our purpose has arrived in human form and He is calling us to join in the great celebration of real life.

Will you?

“Blessed Fruit”

“… Blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” – Luke 1:42

Mary’s body was bringing forth precious fruit.

Her very life had become a vine from which God was about to produce something amazing.

The fruit of her womb was the result of her willingness to become the handmaid of theLord. She was placing her life on the line. She was making her very body and soul available to God.

Remarkable fruit can come from such yielding to the will of God.

Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth understood what was happening in, to, and through Mary.

“And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” – Luke 1:41-42

She knew that Mary herself was special because she had been chosen by God to bear this precious fruit of His love for humankind.

“And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? - Luke 1:43”

Why did Elizabeth so honor her younger cousin Mary? Why was she so impressed and humbled by this visit from a young lady?

They had a common bond. They were both miraculously pregnant, Elizabeth in her old age and Mary without having known a man.

They were both instruments of God for greater things.

Beyond that, Elizabeth understood Mary’s sacrifice and submission to God’s will. She understood what it cost and had a notion of what it would mean for the world. There is no greater honor or privilege than to put your life and body totally at the disposal of God.

 

The fruit that is growing in your life will be in proportion to your submission to the One who made you and has called you to a higher purpose than your own ambitions.

Submit to Him today and watch the blessed fruit grow.

Magnify

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord … ” – Luke 1:46

One of my favorite childhood toys was a magnifying glass. What a wonderful invention! What a useful tool.

You could blow up an image.

You could show up its most intricate details.

You could heat up anything by deflecting the rays of the sun onto some surface.

Mary might have said it if she were here with our clever devices. We can say it with understanding:

“My soul is like a magnifying glass. I can blow up the image of God for all to see. I can show up the intricate details of the word He is laying on my heart and has written in His book. I can heat up my world with the light and warmth of His presence in my own life.” - Paraphrase

Ours it is to blow up the image of God so that the world can have a picture of what it means for Him to live through and within a human heart. We share His love and shine forth His grace. When we blow up His image, we make it obvious for all. Let us take heed how we represent Him.

Ours is to show up the details. With our words and deeds, we can clarify His truth for seekers. We enflesh the spiritual, actualize the conceptual, and simply the complex.

Ours is to heat up our cold corners of civilization. God creates heat and we are His conduits to the frozen chosen among us.

Residing within Mary, as she sang, was the very presence of God. Residing within us, is that same presence. Oh soul, magnify the Lord!

The Cradle and the Gift

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." - Luke 1:46b-47

My soul magnifies the Lord. Suddenly, in the darkest hour of the night, a candle was lit. Darkness retreated. Light appeared. At least one soul paid attention and magnified the Lord.

She was joined by another, her cousin, Elizabeth, and they sang together.

One spirit rejoiced in the God of salvation. One low estate was replaced by a high estate. One future legacy was secured. The whole earth was blessed with an unspeakable gift.

“Mary, did you know?” is the theme of a folk hymn and a very good question. What did Mary know?

Here is what she knew enough to sing.

God is the savior and so she named her son just that, Jesus, Yahweh Saves!

She knew that,

“from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.” (Luke 1:48b)

She knew that

“he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:49)

She knew about God’s mercy that is

“on them that fear him from generation to generation.” (Luke 50)

She knew the strength of God and how God confounds the proud.

“He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” (Luke 1:51)

She knew that God turns the tides on might and power.

“He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.” (Luke 1:52)

She knew that this God who was doing this remarkable thing in her was the kind helper of her people.

“He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy …” (Luke 1:53-54)

What Mary knew is a point of interesting discussion and meditation. What we know matters more. We know, through her experience, all that she knew and the rest of the story.

What is known is all just interesting religious trivia unless we choose to act on faith upon what we know. Let us, then, act in faith and allow our souls to magnify the Lord.

The Magnificat remains one of the most glorious expressions of praise in all of musical literature. Perhaps, someday, in Heaven, God will allow us to hear a replay of the day Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth or the day the angel visited Mary and announced God’s intentions to her.

We would hear that conversation that altered history and sweet sound of her acceptance of God’s great gift of His Son to and through her. The music of absolute surrender would call us to worship and we would join her in exclaiming.

“My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior!”

No less significant was the day your heart responded to God’s grace and declared, “be it unto me according to thy word.”

That God would regard the low estate of His handmaiden and plant the seed of redemption within her womb is a magnificent thing indeed. That God would regard our low estates that Christ might be conceived and born in our hearts by faith is astounding!

We cannot help but sing His praise. We cannot resist the call the worship. We cannot feign to exalt His Name and rejoice in the miracle of His coming. As Mary conceived without human agency, so, that which is born in us of God is without human effort.

Welcome Him to your life anew today and join in chorus:

Prophets foretold Him, Infant of wonder; Angels behold Him On the throne; Worthy our Savior Of all our praises; Happy forever are His own. -Mary Macdonald

Rejoice!

My Spirit Rejoices

“… my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” – Luke 1:47

Mary rejoiced and echoed Isaiah:

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. – Isiah 61:1-3a

Now, we see Mary rejoicing as she prepares for the birth of this son who will bring the day of God’s glory and redemption. Her spirit rejoices because she has been chosen to be an instrument of God’s peace. It rejoiced because she will join those who are called:

“oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.” – Isaiah 61:3b

To be an instrument of God, like Mary, is to be among those who:

“shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.” – Isaiah 61:4

Mary rejoiced and all of those who embrace the wonder of being chosen by God have reason to rejoice in their spirits.

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” – Isaiah 61:10

The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. – Psalm 126:3

"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.” – Luke 1:46b-49

Rejoice always. – I Thessalonians 5:16