Mary's song

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

Luke 1:46-49 NIV

singing my praise with the Sunday choir at Deidra's

 

let it be unto me

Bonnie asked us to think 

about which character in the Christmas story 

speaks to us most deeply 

and I think of Mary

but we are not yet in Bethlehem

nor are we on the way

my spirit trembles, resonates 

with the pre-Christmas story

Mary was busy with the details of life

yes, she loved her God

but she also loved her betrothed

promises, dreams and plans 

swirled through her thoughts

day after ordinary day

promises, dreams and plans 

swirl through my thoughts

day after ordinary day

but God interrupts

with plans of His own

sending word

before shuffling the deck

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, 

for you have found favor with God. 

And now, you will conceive in your womb 

and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 

He will be great, 

and will be called the Son of the Most High, 

and the Lord God will give to him 

the throne of his ancestor David.

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, 

and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 

Mary said to the angel, 

“How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 

The angel said to her, 

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, 

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; 

therefore the child to be born will be holy; 

he will be called Son of God.

Luke 1:30-35 RSV

perhaps Mary could have said no

perhaps I can say no

when what He asks doesn't seem to suit my desires

but I hear the quiet voice as the Holy Spirit sings

reminding me of my quest

a life laid down, surrendered

to reply, boldly as Mary did

Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; 

let it be done to me according to what you have said. 

Luke 1:38 Amplified

I have tasted the blessings of obedience

and I hunger for more of the same

let it be unto me

let it be unto me

let it be unto me

as He wills

 

jamming with Bonnie about characters in the Christmas story

 

Did Mary know? Do I?



Image via Wikipedia

 

Did Mary know
when the angel came
what her surrender
would accomplish?

Then Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said. And the angel left her.  Luke 1:38 Amplified

Questions will remain unasked,
unanswered
not every stop will be marked
neatly on a map
I may not know the why
but must believe that the Who
can sort out the how
and my part
the simplest and most difficult
is to say "yes"

because nothing I can imagine
can compare
and all that is good, in me
is His

according to His Word
according to His will
let it be done to me
let it be done through me



Jamming with Bonnie and unwrapping Jesus

also joining the others imperfect but redeemed at Emily's

 

Rejoice - yes rejoice!

This year, as the season of miracles is upon us, the Lord draws us close and closer and my spirit resonates and dances to the words that Mary sang:
"My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior"

How can my lips remain silent?  How can this heart not tremble in worship?
I tune my spirit to the chorus of angels, rejoicing with all who have gone before
all who sing this day and all who are yet to come.

Rejoice for the light has overcome the darkness.
Rejoice for He has conquered sin and death.
Rejoice for our Savior reigns now and forever more.

The truth of His being
fills me, thrills me
finds me humble and shivering with joy
tears falling hot and sweet
as in awe and wonder, yes
I rejoice!

And Mary said:
“ My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth 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 on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
Luke 1:46-53 NKJV


Peter Pollock has resumed as the host of One Word Carnival.  Join us there as we ponder the word rejoice.

Also submitted as part of The High Calling Blogs Christmas in Verse group project.

Ephesians 6:18 Saturdays - Adoration

Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). Ephesians 6:18 Amplified

As I promised back in February, I am back to devoting the next few months of Saturdays to the study of different types of prayer.

This week let's turn our attention to prayers of adoration.

The offering of our praise and adoration is closely linked to the prayers of thanksgiving we looked at last time. This is a time we can give to God to rejoice in His greatness, not for what He has done, but simply for Who He Is.

The Psalms help us as we attempt to glorify and magnify the Name of our Lord.

Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 106:1 NLT

Praise God, everybody! Applaud God, all people! His love has taken over our lives; God's faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah! Psalm 117:1-2 The Message

Mary sets an example for us after her visitation from the Lord's angel.

And Mary said: “ My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. Luke 1:46-47

When we magnify the Lord in prayer and worship, the things of the world that once loomed large begin to take on a new perspective. If your prayer time seems dry or difficult, begin to speak out your love and adoration and feel how He begins to pour His love upon you. Allow joy to rise in your spirit as you turn your eyes upon His majesty.

Helen Lemmel's words lyrics in 1918 still have much to teach us:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace."