How will you respond to the reality that God is intimately mindful of you, mighty for you, and merciful to you? John Piper explained, “If you don’t need a Savior, you don’t need Christmas. It will not have its intended effect until we feel desperately the need for a Savior.” There is joy in this dark world only because God sent Jesus, the Light of the World, for you. In your sin, you are guilty and in need of rescue. In response to your guilty verdict, God offers merciful pardon. He sings His light into your darkness. If you put your trust in Christ, He comes to dwell within you and gives you everlasting life.

KEY VERSES

LUKE 1:46-55 (NASB)

The Magnificat

46 And Mary said:

“My soul exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
50 “And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who fear Him.
51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.
53 “He has filled the hungry with good things;
And sent away the rich empty-handed.
54 “He has given help to Israel His servant,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his descendants forever.”

ISAIAH 9:6-7 (NASB)

6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

PSALM 14:3 (NASB)

3 They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt;
There is no one who does good, not even one.

JOHN 3:19 (NASB)

19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

GALATIANS 2:20 (NASB)

20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

UNDERSTANDING

• When do you like to start listening to Christmas music each year: before Thanksgiving, after Thanksgiving, or never?

• What is one of your favorite Christmas songs?

• Which of the following Christmas carol titles best describes your life right now: Silent Night, Joy to the World, In the Bleak Midwinter, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, I Wonder as I Wander, Away in a Manger, other? Why did you select this title?

• For what did Mary praise God in the beginning of her song (vv. 46-48)?

• How did Mary view herself?

• How could Mary be humble before God and at the same time recognize that all people would consider her blessed? Why is it difficult for many people to balance humility and the acknowledgment of God’s blessings in their lives?

• In this week’s message, Pastor Jeff explained, “God has your picture on His phone’s lock screen.” How did Mary know this was true for her? How can you know it’s true for you?

• In verses 49-50, Mary rejoiced in God’s attributes. What specific attributes of God did Mary draw attention to in these two verses?

• How does reflecting on God’s attributes affect the way you worship?

• What works of God did Mary mention in these verses?

• How does God exert strength in the power of His arm over the world?

• In this week’s message, Pastor Jeff pointed out that we can read these verses and easily disassociate ourselves from those proud, rich rulers Mary sang about, but even Mary herself recognized God’s mercy in her own life (vv. 47-49). In what sense must we all be brought down from our thrones before we can be exalted by God (v. 52)?

• What are some different ways people respond to the requirement of humility and need before God?

• Why does it matter how a person responds? How do you need to respond?

  APPLICATION

• How might you respond to the great works of God, as Mary did, during this Christmas season?

• God is intimately mindful of you. What are some steps you can take to be more intimately mindful of Him this Christmas season?

• God is mighty for you. What is a situation in which you want to experience the realness and availability of God’s power in your life this Christmas? From Mary’s example, how can you?

• God is merciful to you. What are some ways you can show gratitude for God’s gift of mercy to you in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ His Son?

WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?

Joining a group is a great way to know people and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a look at available groups to get plugged in to and find the group that is right for you. 

GIVING

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