Mary's Song - A Christmas Devotional

Mary’s Song
 
God spoke to the priest Zechariah and told him his wife of mature years would have a child. In doubt, he questioned God. Zechariah was stricken from speech until his son was born – at which time he obeyed God with haste and named him John.
-      Luke 1:5-25
 
An angel of the Lord declared to Mary that she will “conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus … he will be called the Son of the Most High, … and his kingdom will never end.” Mary questioned the angel, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” The angel said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you … for no word from God will never fail.”
Without question, Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant.”
-      Luke 1:26-38 ESV – Paraphrase
 
After some troubling conversations with her family and her betrothed, Joseph, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also with child. Upon their greeting, Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb – the was John the Baptist. She said to her young cousin, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
-      Luke 1:39-45 ESV – Paraphrase
 
Then Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he had been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One had done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their in most thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but had lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.
-      Luke 1:46-55 ESV
 
Questions:
 
1) When God asks us to accomplish a task, how do we respond?
2) Zechariah questioned God and was disciplined. Mary questioned the angel and was not disciplined. Why?
a) What was the difference between the two? (*)
b) Do we simply agree as did Mary, or do we, in doubt or even in tempted disobedience, question God as did her cousin’s husband, Zechariah?
 
There is a Messianic and prophetic parallel written by Joseph’s ancestor, King David. The psalmist writes in chapter 96:
“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord as made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of God.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst in jubilant song with music; make music with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn. Shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the people with equity.”
 
Both Mary and David praise God. Both speak of coming judgment. Mary speaks of mercy and David of salvation – of saving grace.
 
Questions:
 
3) David was known by God as “a man after God’s own heart.” (*)
a) What is God’s heart like? I John tells us that “God is love,” and Jesus showed love, as he instructed his disciples, to “the least of these.”
b) Could God say the same about your heart? How is that evident in your actions?
4) The Holy Spirit came upon Mary in order for her to conceive the Son of God. As Christ-followers, we are filled with the Holy Spirit in order to fulfill his purposes. Do we quench that same Spirit, or do we obey?
5) When asked of God to accomplish his purposes, do we rejoice? Do we praise his name? Are we amazed that he would desire to use us? Provide past examples.
 
Now read the two passages but intertwined: Mary’s Song and David’s Psalm