December 21st
Praising God is not always easy. Sometimes it takes work. It requires discipline. Maybe this year you’re having to force yourself to get excited about the churchy part of Christmas. The part where you gather with the church family to sing songs, smile, and listen to the preacher read the Christmas story…again…like last year…and the year before…and the year before that…
It just feels fake. And you may feel guilty for felling that way. So what’s the problem?
Sometimes it’s pain that makes it hard. Sometimes it’s fear. But sometimes it’s too much of us.
We have spent so much time on our wants, our needs, our dreams, our goals, our feelings, and our happiness, that we have lost perspective. To put it in the perspective of the nativity scene, it’s as if our own image casts a massive shadow over the little baby Jesus. Our presence has increased and His has decreased. And that is not a nativity scene that anyone needs.
It is no coincidence that God did His greatest works through His most humble servants.
When we lose sight of how needy we are, we do not appreciate how gracious God is to us. When we lose sight of the many ways in which we have fallen short, we do not appreciate how merciful God is to us. When we lose sight of how small we are, we do not appreciate how great God is.
Mary was a humble servant who understood how gracious, merciful, and great God was to include her in His plans. The result? She found it very natural, and very easy, to praise God. She was not too big to bow.
46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Luke 1:46-56
Right now, take a moment to praise Him. Drop to your knees, bow your head, lift your hands towards Heaven, and praise God for the mercy and grace He has shown you. Consider reading Mary’s song out loud as your gift of praise to Him. Finally, ask God to give you a constant awareness of His goodness in your life.