But the people of God will sing a song of joy,
like the songs at the holy festivals.
You will be filled with joy,
as when a flutist leads a group of pilgrims
to Jerusalem, the mountain of the LORD—
to the Rock of Israel. Isaiah 30:29
Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.”
Mary responded,
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For He took notice of His lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy,
and He has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear Him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped His servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
For He made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and His children forever.” Luke 1:42-55
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:15-20
Father God, such joyful news You have given me in the beauty of Your Son, Your One and Only. You have brought glad tidings to us all. May my ears be open to hear the words of the shepherds. May my eyes be open to see this wonderful “thing” that You have done. May my heart be open to hear Mary’s heart-words. I thank You for blessing me with the saving grace of Christ Jesus. I bow humbly, Father, in adoration and respect and honor. I love You so. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Filed under: Devotionals, God's Word, Pondering Tagged: birth, blessed, Christ, Christianity, Christmas, expectant, family, gifts, God, gratitude, hope, Jesus, joy, Light, parents, rejoice, respect, song, thanks, The Word
