December 17 Christmas Devotion
Set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
Mary was extraordinary because God extraordinarily used her.
Luke records an uplifting focus in his record with Mary’s Song of Praise (1:46-56). Mary’s Song interrupts Gabriel’s announcement to Mary (1:26-38) and Mary’s visit to Elizabeth (1:39-45). Mary bursts out with praise of God’s gracious work. Mary is with child, the Messiah. Elizabeth, full of the Holy Spirit, discerns that Mary is blessed among women. Two women with two unique pregnancies. Yet, the account points to Mary’s Child, the Messiah, as superior.
Mary proclaims God is great and He is her Saviour (1:46-47). She recognises in God’s sovereignty and holiness that she is being used to bear the child through God’s love and care. Mary also proclaims that God is merciful and righteous (1:50-33). God's mercy extends to those who fear or acknowledge God’s rule over them. God is righteous. He exalts the humble. Lastly, Mary praises God for his loyal love (1:54-55). God is loyal to those who have a relationship with him. God’s sovereign work of salvation begins with Jesus, the baby she will deliver. She praises God and celebrates. God and his act of salvation are precisely the point. He shows grace and faithfulness, and his salvation is worthy of praise and worth celebrating.
Difficult times can distract from the bigger truth of God’s divine control. God sovereignly accomplishes His divine will. For us, times can become hard, but they never catch God off guard. He is still sovereign.
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Peter 1:13).