Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on 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 for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

It’s always a little sad, isn’t it? Christmas is over, and soon decorations will come down (if they haven’t already) and be put away in boxes for the next 11 months. It’s like we experience this feel-good high that crashes to the ground.

Unfortunately, that’s the way many live the spiritual life, just waiting for the next big event so they can get their “feel-good” fix. But Mary’s first Christmas was anything but feel-good.

Mary sang and praised God for the same reasons that we ought to be singing every day of the year: She sang because of her salvation. Mary knew the challenges that she was about to face and was, no doubt, preparing herself for some severe scrutiny for all of a sudden being pregnant and unwed! What shame and horror for her soon to be husband and her family.  What an inexplicable scandal. Who would believe her?  Even Joseph had to consider his options.

But what was Mary’s reaction to the news?  My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…  You see, True praise isn’t grounded in your circumstances. It’s grounded in who we know Christ to be, and we know that through His Word and by experience. So, as we unwind from Christmas and look to the New Year, let’s not just settle back into ‘business as usual’. Let’s take something special from this Christmas – like a better appreciation of who Christ is and what He did. While we may celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th, we should experience the life of Christ every day as He lives through us.

The goal of our 40 Days of Prayer emphasis, particularly this week, is to experience the glory of Christ – Christ in all He is.  I would encourage you to reread Colossians 1:15-20 and ponder who Christ is, and just as God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Col.1:19), let us strive this year to allow that fullness in Christ to fill us so that we will walk in full submission to Him.