The Advent Adventure- Day 4: A Song of Thanksgiving!

“And Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior…
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.”
Luke 1:46-47; 49 (NKJV)

Adventures bring surprises that often leave us in wonder and awe! The Advent Adventure was no exception! Imagine Mary’s response when the Angel of the Lord appeared to her and told her that she was chosen to give birth to the coming Messiah, the Savior of the world, God’s only begotten Son! Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, she responded with a song of thanksgiving and praise. Theologians call this song The Magnificat – Mary’s Song of Praise! You can read it all in Luke 1:46-55.

Her response to such an unbelievable story is found in verse 38.  It reveals her heart of faith. “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’  Then the angel left her.”  This is even more remarkable when you consider that she was just a young, unmarried virgin teenage girl in a Jewish culture that would have shunned her, if not stoned her for being pregnant out of wedlock.  When I think of Mary’s willingness to be available to God despite the social implications and her faith to believe God despite the impossibilities of it all, I’m reminded of 2 Chronicles 16:9.  It’s a promise to all of us!  It says, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 

I believe as God’s eyes scanned the globe, He saw in Mary a heart that was fully committed to Him.  Little wonder that her acceptance of God’s plan and availability for God’s purposes turned to praise as she sings, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior… For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.”  

On this Thanksgiving Day, what is it that God has done in your life for which you may give Him praise? 

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Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.

Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.