Advent seriesGetting ready for ChristmasDeveloping…

an expectant hearta willing spirit

a new world viewa life vision

Luke 1: 39 - 5639 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!”46 And Mary said:

My soul glorifies the Lordand my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,for he has been mindfulof the humble state of his servant.From now on all generations willcall me blessed, for the Mighty One has done

great things for me - holy is his name.His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Developing a new world

view

Our world view is the overall perspective from which we see and interpret the world.

This informs our beliefs about life – and our actions and understanding.

Developing a new world

view

Mary, the mother of Jesus.

A paragon of motherhood.Also an example of discipleship.

How does she orienther life?

1. Ordinary but blessed

The angel calls her favoured. v31Elizabeth calls her blessed. v42Mary From now on all generations will call me blessed. v48What qualities did Mary have? This tells us something aboutGod and something aboutgrace.

Two kinds of loveThe love of God doesn’t find but creates that which is pleasing to it. The love of man comes into being through that which it finds pleasing.

Martin Luther 16th C

God created something wonderful in Mary.

Why Mary? Why us?

Because God can and because God wants to.

The love of God is a generated act motivated in God’s own being. Just as the light and warmth of the sun that we feel on earth is generated within itself, and owes nothing to anything on earth or its inhabitants, other than to be orbiting in its reach. Christopher Wright

2. Blend of fear and joy

Predominant 21st century world view of fear.Misplaced fear – afraid of everything…But not afraid of God.Mary was troubled; wondered what kind of greeting this might be v29She feared the Lord. v50

We’ve lost the transcendent. We live horizontally. Fear of being exposed to our peers. But care less about what God thinks. Culture of shame – projecting a better person on the outside.But lose touch with the internal – what God can see.

Mary has a high regard for God – and also deep joy.Her joy and security is in her relationship with God. The joy of the LORD is your strength. Neh 8:10Are we fearful that God might let us go our own way?

My soul glorifies the Lord v46My spirit rejoices in God v47John in the womb leaps for joy!Deep joy – not thin joy.Joy of knowing God breaking in.Joy of knowing we deserve judgementand hell but we get grace and heaven.

3. Self denial and self worth

Mary understands the discipline of submission.I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said. v38

Richard Foster: Laying down the burden of always getting our own way.

3. Self denial and self worth

Learning to be happy even if we don’t have all we want. Bearing our losses.Avoiding pride. v51

Mary’s great security is knowing God’s will is always best.

4. Purity and protestMary is a model of piety. We aspire to her purity.But she’s also a model of protest. v51 - 53Scattered the proudBrought down rulersLifted the humbleFilled the hungry

She’s above categorisation. Personal moral ethics.Also strong social ethics.Pure and powerful.Let’s choose to be current day Marys…

Radical living & a new world view

Let us be people who are•Ordinary but blessed•Fearful and joyful •Self denial but knowing self worth•Purity and power