And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Luke 1:46-50
Lord Jesus, I woke up today very thankful for the gift of music, especially Christmas music. Every Advent hymn, carol, and chorus ignites my gratitude and fuels my hope. The story and implications of your birth make this non-dancer want to dance; this vocally-deficient singer break forth in song; this inhibited introvert to do cartwheels in the square. I praise you for giving me multiplied reasons sing, and for songwriters who capture my feelings and give me a means expressing what I long to say to you. I include your mother, Mary, in that list of great songwriters.
Though her story is unique, her song really isn’t. Indeed, I can sing her song—I must sing her song, for you’ve been mindful of my humble, broken, sinful state. You are being formed in me differently, but just as surely as you entered the world through Mary’s womb. You came to me when I wasn’t seeking you. Like Mary, I was chosen before the creation of the world—singled out to know you, worship you, serve you. I have nothing to boast in but you, Lord Jesus.
How inexhaustible is the treasury of your mercies; how bottomless is the ocean of your grace, how incomparable are the wonders of your love!
I consider myself as blessed of a man as anyone in the world or in all of history, because you’ve done great things for me, and you continue to do great things for me. Holy is your name, Lord Jesus. I have no concern for what any generation may say about me. It’s enough to know what you say about me. You tell me that I’m yours, that I’m forgiven, that I’m righteous in you, and that nothing can separate me from your love.
Jesus, help me to ponder and treasure these things… like a blind man seeing for the first time, a deaf man hearing for the first time, a staving man sitting down to an endless buffet of goodness and nourishment.
Indeed, your mercy has been extended to my generation and to me personally. Therefore, my soul glorifies you, Jesus, and my spirit rejoices in you, my God and my Savior. As the gospel goes deeper into my heart, free me from all fears except the fear of the Lord. May I hate only sin and love you with a love that is a perpetual “first love”. So very Amen, I sing, dance and pray, in your most glorious and gracious name.
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