Loading

The Christmas Gift 19 DECEMBER 2021 | PRAYER & PRAISE SERVICES | REV GLADWIN LEE

The Christmas Gift

19 DECEMBER 2021 | PRAYER & PRAISE SERVICEs

Rev Gladwin Lee

Scripture Passage: Luke 1:39-55 (NIV)

WATCH | SERMON (VIDEO)

READ | SERMON NOTES

Summary | When we struggle to praise God, we need to follow Mary’s example and humble ourselves before Him, awaken ourselves to His voice, hold on to His Word and promises, hope in His surprises, and respond with trust and obedience.

Mary’s Magnificat When Mary received the news that she would be pregnant with Jesus, she was put in a risky position. She was not yet married and could be stoned to death for this scandal. Yet when she visited her cousin Elizabeth, she broke into song (The Magnificat), giving glory to God. We can therefore gain from Mary’s song when we struggle to praise God under difficult and hopeless situations.

God is mindful of the humble In Mary’s song, we are reminded that God is mindful of the humble (v.48) and extends His mercy to those who fear Him. Mary herself came from a lowly background. This tells us that we don’t have to do anything “outstanding” to catch God’s eye. In fact, God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble because they submit their will to Him.

God is still surprising us today God loves to support the underdog. As we study Mary’s song, a few people are mentioned – the helpless, the humble, the hungry and His own people – and how God has surprised them with His mercy, power, care and faithfulness. Mary knew this as she treasured God’s Word and held His promises close to her heart (Luke 2:19; 51). Mary chose to hope in God’s surprises and believed that God would act. We too shouldn’t give up even when we are beaten down. God wants us to hope in His promises as well, so we can sing our own Magnificat and learn to genuinely lament to Him because His compassions never fail (Lamentations 3:22-23).

God invites us to trust Him We are called to say “YES” to God. Before we can do that however, we have to continuously listen for God’s voice. Advent is about awakening ourselves to God, trusting and obeying Him.

Singing like Mary Mary humbled herself before God and others, held onto God’s Word and promises, hoped in God’s surprises and heeded with obedience and trust. She sang to God even before she saw the birth and miracles of Jesus. Will we sing to God as we wait for God’s surprises and breakthroughs? What is our song for this season? Mary’s yes led to the salvation of the world. What would our yes lead to?

(Sermon Notes Desley Khew)

PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Read Elizabeth’s response in Luke 1:42-45 when her baby leaped in her womb at Mary’s greeting.

1a. Why did she say them?

1b. Is there a phrase that resonated with you? In what ways did it resonate with you?

2. Read Mary’s response in Luke 1:46-55.

2a. Why did she say them?

2b. Is there a phrase that resonated with you? In what ways did it resonate with you?

3. Mary mentioned several deeds of God in Luke 1:46-55. Recall instances from the Bible how God has done them. For example, recall an incident when God helped Israel, as mentioned in Luke 1:54.

4. Share about a blessing or breakthrough with God that you have experienced recently.

5. Pray: what blessings of promise or breakthrough are you currently seeking from God?