Advent: Filled with Praise
Prayer
What could be a more natural response to the coming of our Messiah than praise? As we begin the second week of Advent, I want to focus on the first two chapters of Luke, which chronicle the foretold birth of John (the Baptist) and the birth and temple dedication of Jesus.
After learning that God had chosen her to bear His Son, Mary visits her relative Elizabeth, who is also pregnant with a special child. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth blesses Mary. Mary, rather than blushing or bragging, gives praise to God:
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant….
Luke 1:46-48 (NIV)
Elizabeth gives birth to John, who has the special purpose of preparing the way for Jesus.
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them….
Luke 1:67-68 (NIV)
Then came that fateful night in the stable, with Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes. In the field, shepherds watched over their flocks. Angels appeared to those shepherds to share the good news of Jesus’s birth.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)
The shepherds went to see the Messiah and then followed the angels’ example by spreading the news of His birth and worshipping God.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:20 (NIV)
Mary and Joseph probably didn’t expect an entire fan club to be waiting when they took Jesus to be presented at the Temple. First, they ran into Simeon, who had been waiting his whole life to see the Messiah.
When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
Luke 2:27-32 (NIV)
Next, a prophetess named Anna approached them.
Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:38 (NIV)
In the brief narrative of Jesus’s birth, there are six accounts of God receiving praise, glory, and honor. How will you fill this Advent season with praise and worship?
Lord, I give you all glory and praise. You fulfilled your promise of a Savior, a Redeemer, a Messiah. Thank you for loving me so much that you would send Jesus to be born in a lowly manger. Jesus, one with you and fully divine... yet appearing as a tiny infant. Thank you, God, for this gift. A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. Amen