“Our Spirit Rejoices”
Luke 1:46-55
Sunday, December 6, 2009

Introduction: There is a story of 2 missionaries who were captured and imprisoned in the same cell, but were forbidden to speak to each other. On Christmas Day one of the missionaries, who was shivering because it was so cold in the cell, sat covered with hay trying to get warm. As he looked at the hay, he realized he could communicate with his friend. With the hay he spelled the word I – M – M – A – N – U – E – L. As soon as his friend saw the word, he immediately lit up with joy. They were captives, but they both believed that God was with them and that ultimate triumph would be theirs!
As we come closer to Christmas Day, I know my children get more and more excited about it. Partly from the idea that they will get presents, partly from the fun of the decorating and getting the tree, but also partly because they know that it is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. Are you getting excited about celebrating Jesus’ birthday? Jesus; Immanuel; GOD WITH US.
Because of this blessed event over 2000 years ago, we have been given meaning and purpose for our lives in this world. This morning I want to talk about the “joy” of Christmas as we think about what God can and will do in our lives, and what awaits us when this life ends. The idea of the coming of the Lord should fill us with joy.

I. Mary’s Song- (Luke 1:46-55)
In our scripture reading this morning, we read the song of Mary. It is a song that
gives praise to God, and rejoices in all that God has done This is a remarkable song, because it shows us how Mary has gone from being a quiet, humble girl, overwhelmed at the thought of being the mother of the Savior, to someone who now believes that the Lord will fulfill what He has spoken to her.
WHAT DOES HER SONG SAY?
a. God looks with favor on the lowly- First, God is a God who looks with
favor on even those who might seem and feel insignificant. It is not the rich, the powerful, the prestigious that God’s heart longs for, but those who humble themselves as servants to others.
God did not go to the mighty, or the rich to find someone to be the mother of
Jesus, but to one who was humble and low; to someone who loved God and would be faithful in service. God went to Mary.
Christianity is to be the death of pride. How can we even compare ourselves to Christ who was God in the flesh? How can we cast ourselves above the God who created us? How can we lift ourselves above others who are made in the image of God?
Christ should cause us to see ourselves as we are; people who struggle with sin and fall short of God’s glory, and yet also God’s children whom God loves and desires to save, to love, and to be in relationship with!
b. God casts down the mighty- Next, in Mary’s song we see how God doesn’t
seek out the mighty, but casts down the mighty. We see Mary say in verse 52- “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones…” Christianity puts an end to the world’s labels and prestige, and shows us that these things have no eternal significance. Even though there are many who think of themselves as significant in this world, they really only bring unhappiness, loneliness, and despair to themselves when they try and find fulfillment through their status and position.
God turns on end this thinking of the world with the coming of the Savior. Like the story of Muretus, a wandering scholar, who took ill in an Italian town. In the hospital the doctors were discussing his case in Latin, not knowing he could understand. They were saying that since he was a worthless wanderer (having a very lowly appearance) that maybe they should use him for medical experiments. To their surprise he responded to them in Latin: “Call no man worthless for whom Christ died!”
c. God fills those who are hungry- A non-Christian society would be set-up
as every person for themselves. Or even worse, where the powerful take from the weak. This society would love selfishly and be concerned about nothing that doesn’t profit their own life. Their goal would be to amass as much as they could for themselves. It would be a very selfish and materialistic society.
A Christian society is a society where people dare to care for others. Where
we turn our focus not just on ourselves, or our family, but to the needs of others who need assistance. Where we don’t dare to have too much, for fear of the repercussions of how it will affect others. Where our desire is not just to get, but to give away as well.
Mary is telling us in her song, in words that have been given to her from God, that the coming of the Savior will change our world by changing the people of the world. That the coming of the Savior will bring joy to all who have faith, because there is so much sharing and caring that gets passed on. That we are led in a direction that is so much more fulfilling and satisfying. This is the kind of society God desires for us to be. This is the kind of society that God wanted to establish with the coming of His Son Jesus.

II. Christmas Lost and Found-
A number of years ago there was a college freshman named William, who was walking the streets of Philadelphia all by himself. Three weeks prior he had received a letter from his mother saying that the family couldn’t afford to bring him home for Christmas because his father’s business was struggling and there was no extra money for travel. A couple of days earlier there had been a flurry of activity as all of his friends and dorm-mates had been preparing to go home to their families. This was by far the most depressing time of his life. He thought to himself: “Not even God knows that I’m alive. If he cares, why didn’t he help me get home for the holidays?”
William boarded a bus for downtown Philly thinking he could keep himself busy and not thinking about being alone. In his wallet he had a $50 bill which was a present from his parents. He knew they had sacrificed just to send him this. They wanted him to buy something special for himself for Christmas. He spent most of the day wandering aimlessly from store to store; nothing really standing out to him to buy. As he was walking down the street he noticed a boy, about nine or ten standing in front of the window of a toy store.
As he approached the window, he could see that the boy was staring at a train set. He introduced himself to the boy, who told him his name was David. “Nice train,” William said to the boy. “The best I’ve ever seen,” answered David. “How would you like to have it?” William asked. “Oh, I could never own it. My mom doesn’t have enough money.” “Come on,” William motioned, as he walked into the store with David following. Then William asked the owner how much the train set cost. “It’s $46.95,” the store owner answered. “We’ll take it,” William responded.
With that William bought the train set and started to walk David home. When they got to David’s apartment, he pounded on the door. An apron-clad woman, in her 30’s appeared at the door. “Mom,” David started, “this man is my friend and he just bought me a new train. Can he come in, mom? Please?” “Hi,” I’m William Lambert,” he said. “I am a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania. I saw your son looking at the train, and really wanted to buy him it as a gift. I would be really pleased if you would allow him to accept it.”
“Well sure,” said David’s mother. “Bring it on in. My name is Pauline Sanders.” “That would be fine,” said William. “How about I just set it up for David, and then I’ll be on my way.” But as William came in, David was excited to show him his room. The apartment was very simple in appearance with not many decorations. William could tell that Pauline and David didn’t have much. Off to David’s room they went, and William saw the models David had made and the pride David took in his room.
After looking at his room for a while, they went back to the kitchen, and when he saw Pauline, she invited him to stay for dinner. “It’s just David and me,” she said, “and it will be good for us to have a guest.” Knowing that he didn’t have anything special to do, William agreed to stay, which made David very happy.
As they sat down at the table, Pauline said: “Do you mind if we say grace before we eat? David and I are Christians.” “Really?” said William. “I’m a new Christian too. I became a believer last month at an InterVarsity meeting, but there is still so much I don’t understand.”
They bowed their heads while Pauline thanked God for His blessings and for the birth of His Son Jesus Christ. During the meal they talked about how Pauline’s husband Richard had died in the Vietnam war and how it was her dream to move to the west coast. They both shared how they couldn’t see their family for Christmas because of money issues. To which Pauline responded: “It must have been God’s will that you’re here tonight.” William agreed.
After dinner William put together the train set for David (which took him 3 hours) and then helped him play with it as well. The joy-filled expression on David’s face made William realize that his money was well spent. He had great satisfaction knowing that he had blessed David so much. After a while William decided it was time to go back to his dorm. “Wait a minute,” said David, as he ran to his room. As William put on his coat, he noticed that there were tears in Pauline’s eyes. “I want you to know I’ve been praying for an entire month for a way to buy David a nice Christmas present. Your kindness was not only a gift to David, but a gift to me as well. You have been an answer to prayer.”
Before William could respond David was back with a little white box, handing it to William and saying “Merry Christmas.” As William lifted the lid he was surprised to see that it was the model train David had put together himself. With a grateful heart, William gave David a hug saying it was the best gift he had ever received.
As he made his way to the bus stop, he reflected on all that had happened, and felt a great deal of satisfaction in how his Christmas turned out. Then he remembered the words of Jesus which he had learned, and agreed that it really was more blessed to give than to receive. He really did feel now that God was with him. And at this thought he whispered: “Happy Birthday Jesus. And thank you.”

Conclusion: As Christmas approaches, let us remember that we are never alone, because our savior Jesus Christ has been given to us. This is God’s gift of “joy” to us. And the wonder of this day is that as we learn to give away ourselves to others, as God gave Himself to us, the love of Christ we share is a special gift of joy to those whom we give. We will be touched to the depths of our spirit, as will they.
Joy is not just about having things go well for us, joy is experienced because we know that God is there, and that God cares. Whatever is going on in our lives, whatever we are dealing with, whatever we need, God will be there to work it out for us. God knows what is going on in our heart, and in our mind, and will walk this road with you. Let us give praise to God this day and always, for this wonderful gift of “joy” found in the Christ child. Amen.