Date: December 9, 2011 3:58 AM
Topic: +DEV+ The Young Girl: Mary
The Young Girl: Mary
"And Mary said, 'My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior...From now on all generations will call me blessed'" (Luke 1:46-48).
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 7:10-14
With the stage set, enter the character who has stolen hearts for centuries: Mary. She was a real person in an actual historic time and place...the one whom every generation - including ours - would call "blessed" (vs. 48). But with the tendency of sincere believers to either exalt her and see her as sinless, or to ignore her completely, we have mostly allowed ourselves only a sentimental view of Mary, diminishing the world-shattering impact of the incarnation.
Mary did not praise herself. Rather she magnified and rejoiced in God. She pointed to Him. Though she's a main character in this great drama, it is actually God we learn more of through her.
As we dwell on Mary and her part in the Christmas story, we'll see that she was an instrument of God's providence, one through whom He would carry out His redemption plan. A theme arises that has been woven through Scripture since Genesis: in the most unlikely of places, hope often comes. May hope rise for you this Christmas season!
Insight: Resisting the tendency to glory in the glitter of Christmastime, let's sing instead with Mary, praising God for what He has done.
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