Luke 1:39-55
Today’s collect (prayer) reads “Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” What a powerful thought, that Jesus would find in us mansion for himself to dwell. With so much taking place during the Christmas season, it is fitting that we would pray this prayer just days before Christmas day.
It is this theme that is shared in Mary’s Song, the Magnificat. “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” As we prepare a mansion in our lives for Jesus to dwell, the Lord surely is magnified. As we become less, he becomes more. In verse 49 she prays, “for he who is mighty has done great things in me, and holy is his name.” The more that our lives become a mansion for the Lord to dwell, the more he is glorified, for he is the mighty one responsible for the great things done in me.
The Magnificat, Mary’s Song of Praise, is a reflection of her heart and her life. She has answered the Lord’s call for her life and as Jesus is soon to be born, praises the Lord for who he is and all that he has done. Not just in her life, but throughout Israel and all of God’s people. May this Advent have that type of impact on our hearts as we eagerly await to coming of King Jesus.
- Jon Henson
Reflection:
1. What does it mean for your soul to magnify the Lord?
2. What would it look like for our life to have a mansion prepared for the Lord?
For Families:
-If you were to draw a picture of a mansion, what would it look like? How would it be different from other houses? What if you used some of those same words to describe the time and effort you have set aside for Jesus in your life?
--Lord, we rejoice in you who has known us and loved us from the beginning of time. Please continue to lift us up as we seek to make you bigger. Give us the humility to become smaller, and enable us to praise you all the more. Amen.