“A Greater Joy” – Luke 1:39-56 | December 12, 2021 | Chad Friestad
What are the sights, sounds, and smells that bring you joy during the holidays? During this dark time of year, I love walking through the neighborhood and seeing roofs outlined with lights and Christmas trees glowing in front windows. I love the sounds of the familiar carols we sing on Sunday mornings. I love the smell of the fresh garland on our front porch and the smell of burning cedar coming from the neighbor’s fireplace.
But what happens when only one section of the pre-lit tree lights up? Or when you lose your taste and smell just in time for the holiday season? Or even harder yet, when the house feels empty or when the absence of family or distance from friends sets in? So quickly, fun can turn to frustration and our joy can turn to sorrow.
The good news is that there’s an alternative to temporary holiday joy. In the message of Christmas, we find an ultimate, eternal joy that only comes through Jesus. How can we experience that joy? That’s what we’ll be talking about as we look at Luke 1:39-56.
Elizabeth and Mary’s stories intersect in the most beautiful, God-ordained way. We’ll discover that true joy is experienced in hearing the promise of Jesus, being in the center of God’s plan, and giving praise and glory to Him.
Luke 1:39-56 ESV
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
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