Friday, December 1, 2017

Dec 2 - Luke 1:30

ADVENT DAY 2

we’re starting before the official Sunday start

·         Normal devotions … plus …

·         scroll down … Kid’s devotion near bottom

·         scroll down … Discussion Questions at bottom

·         Corresponds to kids advent chains from church

·         How-To Advent Guide sent out on Wednesday

 

 

The angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for

you have found favor with God.”

Luke 1:30

 

Adult Devotion …

 

Angels must be quite a sight!

 

Why do I say this? Because every time a human meets an angel in the Bible, they seem to fall to their knees, terrified! (I guess a flying, glowing beyond-human creature who suddenly appears from the middle of nowhere and calls you by name would be a little startling.)

 

We learned recently that there are 365 times in Scripture when God or his messengers tell his people, “Do not be afraid.” 

 

Yet Mary had more reason than most to tremble. She was just a teen, a virgin. Not only was she about to have a baby, but it was to be the Son of God!

 

Now, the coming of the Son of God had been proclaimed to Israel for century after century. Famous verses from famous prophets surely echoed in Mary’s heart. But … if I were Mary, I doubt that I would be singing verses like Isaiah 9:6 with the confidence found in Handel’s Messiah. (See if you remember this verse. Scripture proclaims …)

 

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

To Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS3vpAWW2Zc

 

The nativity might have been glorious prophetic fulfillment – and this certainly was glad tidings of good news for all the people – but if I was Mary, I would have been terrified. At the very least, this was utterly life-altering. A teen pregnancy would likely carry a huge amount of earthly shame. When Joseph found out, would he still want her? She might be an unmarried teenage mom! Would she be financially able to support this child?

 

Those are my human questions. If I were Mary, I sure wouldn’t be singing Isaiah 9 with the confidence found in Handel’s Messiah.

 

And yet Mary did sing with confidence! In a prayer/song that we now call The Magnificat, Mary sang …

 

“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.”

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants to be

as tough – and faithful –

as a girl

 

SEE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AT END

 

Children’s Message …

 

Angels must be quite a sight!

 

Why do I say this? Because every time a human meets an angel in the Bible, they seem to fall to their knees, terrified!

 

We learned recently that there are 365 times in Scripture when God or his messengers tell his people, “Do not be afraid.” 

 

Yet Mary had more reason than most to tremble. She was just a teen. Not only was she about to have a baby, but it was to be the Son of God.

 

For a thousand years, the prophets had foretold the coming of the Messiah, but I were Mary, I don’t think I’d be singing Isaiah 9:6 with the confidence found in song based on this verse in Handel’s Messiah

 

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

To Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS3vpAWW2Zc

 

This song/verse might have been glorious prophetic fulfillment – and this certainly was glad tidings of good news for all the people -- but for Mary, personally, the unexpected coming of this child would be utterly life-altering. (Would you be singing Isaiah 9 with the confidence?)

 

Well, Mary did sing with confidence! In a prayer/song that we now call The Magnificat, 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.”

 

 

Discussion Questions:

1.    Why do you think someone (like Mary) might be afraid when suddenly encountering an angel?

2.    Why do you think Mary – instead of being consumed by worries and fears – was able to sing with such confidence?

3.    What do you want to learn from Mary?

 

 

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