Christmas is coming … let’s magnify the Lord together!
How do you respond to the gift of Christmas?
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
Luke 1:46-47 ESV
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior –“
Mary responded, “Yes!” to what had to seem to be an unexpected, incredible announcement. At Gabriel’s words that she was the chosen one, she humbly responded, “May it be to me as you have said.” And then she sang a beautiful song to magnify the Lord!
I will praise the name of God with a song;
Psalm 69:30 ESV
I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Like Mary, I want to sing praises, magnifying His name! I don’t always feel like it, and my actions don’t always reflect my heart’s desire, but I desire to be single-minded, entirely and thoroughly given to Him!
Who can cheer the heart like Jesus,
by His presence all divine?
True and tender, pure and precious,
O how blest to call Him mine!Love of Christ so freely given,
grace of God beyond degree,
mercy higher than the heaven,
deeper than the deepest sea!What a wonderful redemption!
Never can a mortal know
how my sin, though red like crimson,
can be whiter than the snow.Every need His hand supplying,
every good in Him I see;
on His strength divine relying,
He is all in all to me.By the crystal flowing river
with the ransomed I will sing,
and forever and forever
praise and glorify the King.All that thrills my soul is Jesus,
He is more than life to me;
and the fairest of ten thousand
in my blessed Lord I see.
Thoro Harris, 1931
I invite you to join me today while wrapping, baking, rushing, fretting, to stop. Just stop … and magnify the Lord!
I will bless the Lord at all times
Psalm 34:1-3 ESV
(even three days before Christmas)
his praise shall continually be in my mouth
(as that driver cuts me off in traffic)
My soul makes its boast in the Lord
(not in having found the “perfect” gifts)
let the humble hear and be glad.
(glad about Jesus more than the menu coming together)
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
Father, we praise your name together today, even in our weaknesses and messes. We are so grateful that You love us despite ourselves! May we reflect, even enlarge your love, mercy, and grace in our world! Gracious God, assist us to proclaim, to spread through all the earth abroad, the honors of Your name. Amen.
