Scripture Passage: Luke 1:46-53

The Magnificat or “Mary’s Song” is one of the most beautiful poetic passages in all of Scripture. After the angel Gabriel informed Mary that God had chosen her to give birth to Jesus, Mary expressed her praise in song.

Mary’s song reveals three elements of praise that remind us of reasons to praise this time of year. No matter what you’re going through, these are reasons to praise and bring glory to God!

1. Mary Sang of God’s Salvation



Mary willingly submitted to God’s plan for her life. She identified herself as a servant. Mary also knew she needed a savior and therefore rejoiced in God her Savior and passionately worshiped Him.

2. Mary Sang of God’s Nature

Mary referred to God as the Mighty One. She acknowledged that His name is holy. She sang of His mercy. Like Mary, we should acknowledge God’s great attributes when we praise Him. We too should sing of His holiness and His might.



3. Mary Sang of God’s Faithfulness

Nothing that Mary sang about was dependent on her personal circumstances. She was actually a poor young girl who faced the challenge of explaining to others why she was pregnant. And yet, she sang of God’s faithfulness throughout history and to her personally.

Sing Your Own Song


We learn from The Magnificat that you can put almost any worship song into three categories:


• Gratitude for salvation

• Acknowledging God’s nature
• 
Trusting in His faithfulness



What song(s) will you sing to God today?

Scripture Passage: Philippians 2:1-11

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians about the incarnation of Jesus. The word incarnation literally means “in flesh.” It means that God came to us in flesh. Paul said that God became flesh. Understanding the incarnation gives us a model for our lives. The doctrine of incarnation is a call to imitation.

Three Ways to Imitate Christ Through His Incarnation:

1. Imitating the incarnation means I move toward needs.
The Gospel teaches us that Jesus consistently moved in the direction of the need.
Jesus was willing to lay aside glory, and move to the direction of us who are in need.

2. Imitating the incarnation means sacrifice.
If we are going to imitate the incarnation there will be a price to pay. We have the opportunity to surrender and honor and follow the Lord.

3. Imitating the incarnation means looking toward long-term rewards.
Jesus was willing to sacrifice because he was looked toward eternal rewards. We are called to do the same.

Discussion Questions:

• How does it make you feel that Jesus came down to the world in flesh to meet our need?

• How can you move in the direction of those who need the Gospel?

• What does imitating Christ through sacrifice look like for you?

• How can you look toward the long-term rewards in your life?

Spend some time praying as a family that you would imitate Christ with your life through His example in Philippians 2.

Scripture: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth “John 1:14.

1. Jesus gave us access to His glory.

We don’t deserve access to God’s glory and we can’t earn access to God’s glory. Access to God and His glory is a gift that comes through a relationship with Jesus.

2. Jesus is our only hope.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

The Gospel is the good news that Jesus came to save us, heal us and set us free. Our sin separated us from God and His glory but through a relationship with Jesus we have access to God and His glory.

3. Jesus did not take any shortcuts.

Jesus came full of grace and truth. Jesus did not ignore our sins but paid the penalty for our sins on the Cross so that we could be saved and set free.

Scripture tells us that “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).

If you have never prayed to receive Jesus Christ then you can pray today to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You can pray a prayer similar to the one below from your heart to God.

PRAYER: God, I confess that I have sinned and I need your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus is your Son and He died for me so that I could be forgiven and have a relationship with you. I confess that I can’t do anything to earn this gift of salvation. I put my hope fully in Jesus and his death and resurrection on the Cross and receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus Name, Amen.

If you prayed this prayer or a prayer similar to this one today then God saved you today! You are forever saved and nothing can separate you from God and His great love for you!

Scripture Passage: Luke 2:8-14

The good news of Jesus’ birth was first announced to Jewish shepherds. This is significant because shepherds in Jesus’ day were regarded as social outcasts and were among the most scorned individuals.

And yet, God chose ordinary shepherds, not priests or kings, to be the first to hear the news of His Son’s birth. Common shepherds would be the first to welcome Jesus — the Lamb of God.

The shepherds’ night watch was dramatically interrupted by the sudden appearance of an angel of the Lord. When the angel appeared to the shepherds “the glory of the Lord” shone around them, supernaturally lighting up the night. God’s glory is the side of God humans can see and to which they can respond in confession, worship, and praise (see Isa. 60:1-3).

1. God’s Glory Reveals an Unseen Reality | There is more going on in the world than we can see (read 2 Kings 6:15-17).

How would a glimpse of God’s glory change the way in which you look at your current trials, tribulations, or challenges?

2. God’s Glory Shines in Unexpected Places | The values of God’s kingdom are not the same as the values of the world. Jesus’ birth announcement was not made in the halls of power but rather in a shepherd’s field.


How and in what unexpected place can God use you to shine His glory?

3. God’s Glory Brings an Unshakeable Peace | God’s peace arrived in a humble manger, not through Rome’s military might. God’s peace is more than the cessation of fighting or the cessation of work. His peace is not dependent on circumstances.


In what ways do you need for God to settle your soul today?