Happy Third Sunday of Advent!
(Photo from a previous year in our former home)
"And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on the lowliness of His servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name.'" Luke 1:46-49
Today we remember Mary, innocent and powerful, sacred and scared, worried and waiting as the Savior of all grows in Her womb. She sings boldly when she might be meek; she bears her role in history with the confidence of a warrior; she is the beginning of a mighty revolution as the proud are brought down and the lowly lifted up.
Today we give thanks for the Mary's among us, who step out of the roles society has planned; unintended pioneers determined to do as God asks; fearless and fearfully stepping out in faith, and beckoning us to do the same.
On this third Sunday of Advent, we light this candle a symbol of Mary, mother of Christ, bearer of the Way.
Won't you sing along with us today as we sang
"Hark The Herald Angels Sing"
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful all ye nations rise. Join the triumph of the skies
With th'angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Christ, by highest heav'n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th'incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Hail, the heav'n born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by, Born that men no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Today we learned about the angels talking to Joseph regarding the birth of Jesus and to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife, as well as warning Joseph in a dream later to take the child Jesus and His mother Mary to Egypt to flee the wrath of King Herod. (Matthew 1:18-2:18)
So thankful that Joseph was a righteous and obedient man of God. This is a wonderful story.
We are getting closer to Christmas day each day. I love this time of preparation of our hearts and minds to receive the Christ Child into our hearts and lives anew.
This past week our church ladies had a Christmas gathering to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. I was happy that I was able to participate and that the Lord was with us as we fellowshipped together .
We sang "Happy Birthday to Jesus" as this beautiful cake was presented in His honor:
We exchanged gifts with one another:
As is the norm at any church gathering, there is always more than enough food...
This was actually our first such gathering in almost a year, and we were so thankful to be together.
God has been very gracious to our church group and we are very, very thankful.
Today, let us be like Mary and "magnify the Lord" and boldly trust God when He leads us in a strange new direction, for He had done great things for us, and He will not lead us astray.
And let us also be like Joseph, and obey the Lord when He shows us His plan, no matter how unusual it may appear to be at the time.
Have a blessed Advent season.
