December 22nd, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"Magnifying the Miracle" Text: Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)

Lectionary Readings — Fourth Sunday of Advent — December 22, 2024

Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)

---

Call to Worship (based on Luke 1:39-55)

Leader: Come, let us worship the Lord with joy and gladness!
People: For He has done great things for us, and holy is His name!

Leader: Like Mary and Elizabeth, let us rejoice in the promises of God.
People: The Lord has looked with favor on His people and lifted up the humble.

Leader: Blessed is the One who has come to fulfill God's Word!
People: Blessed is the child Mary bore, the Savior of the world!

Leader: The mighty One has done great things, and His mercy is from generation to generation.
People: He has scattered the proud, brought down rulers, and lifted the lowly.

Leader: He has filled the hungry with good things and remembered His people with mercy.
People: Our souls magnify the Lord, and our spirits rejoice in God our Savior!

Leader: Come, let us worship the Lord who is faithful to His promises.
People: Let us glorify His holy name and rejoice in His salvation! Amen.

---

Opening Prayer (based on Micah 5:2-5a)

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father,

In this sacred season of Advent, we come before You with hearts filled with expectation and awe, rejoicing in the promise of Your Word. From the smallest town of Bethlehem, You chose to bring forth a ruler whose origins are from ancient days, a King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How marvelous are Your ways, O God, that You use the humble and lowly to reveal Your eternal glory!

Today, we bow in worship, thanking You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the One who is our peace. In a world filled with strife and uncertainty, we cling to the promise of His coming, knowing that He will stand as a shepherd for His flock, leading us with strength and majesty. May His reign bring us comfort, guidance, and hope.

Lord, prepare our hearts to receive Him anew. Clear away the distractions of this season, the worries of this life, and the burdens we carry, so that we may be fully present in this moment of worship. Fill us with the light of Christ, that we may reflect His love to a weary world.

As we wait for the fulfillment of Your promises, teach us to trust in Your perfect plan. Unite us in Your Spirit, and let Your peace rule in our hearts and homes. May this time of worship bring glory to Your name and draw us closer to the joy of Christmas morning, where we celebrate the birth of our Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

We ask all of this in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus, our Good Shepherd and Prince of Peace. Amen.

---

Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

[Note: All Scripture is taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.]

Sermon Outline: "Magnifying the Miracle" Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)

Introduction:

As the anticipation of Christmas grows, we turn to Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat, to focus on the promise, power, and presence of God. This passage invites us to magnify the Lord in our own lives, just as Mary did, as we rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s plan.

I. The Promise Affirmed (vv. 39-45)

1. Revelation of the Promise

   • Mary visits Elizabeth, and Elizabeth recognizes the child Mary carries as the Lord.

   • "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!" (v. 42)

   • God’s promise to Mary (Luke 1:31-33) is affirmed through Elizabeth’s Spirit-filled proclamation.

2. Rejoicing in the Promise

   • The baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy, a testimony of the divine nature of Jesus.

   • “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (v. 45)

   • Application: Do we believe and rejoice in God’s promises as Elizabeth did?

II. The Praise Ascended (vv. 46-50)

1. Magnifying God’s Majesty

   • Mary begins with exaltation: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (v. 46-47).

   • Mary sees herself as God’s humble servant, yet chosen for His glorious plan.

   • Application: When was the last time you magnified the Lord with all your heart?

2. Marveling at God’s Mercy

   • Mary reflects on God’s mercy: “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation” (v. 50).

   • God’s mercy is not earned but given to those who humbly seek Him.

   • Application: God’s mercy in Christ is for all—how are you sharing this good news?

III. The Power Accomplished (vv. 51-55)

1. Reversals of the Proud and Powerful

   • “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts” (v. 51).

   • God’s kingdom turns worldly values upside down, bringing down rulers and lifting the humble.

   • Application: Do we live with humility, aligning our lives with God’s priorities?

2. Restoration for the Poor and Hungry

   • “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty” (v. 53).

   • God’s justice brings hope to the oppressed and provides for the needy.

   • Application: How can we participate in God’s restorative work during this Advent season?

3. Remembrance of His Covenant

   • “He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever” (v. 54-55).

   • God’s faithfulness to His covenant assures us that His promises will never fail.

   • Application: Let Advent remind us of the faithfulness of God through every generation.

Conclusion:

As we reflect on Mary’s song, we are called to magnify the Lord in our own lives. We celebrate:

1. The Promise Affirmed in Christ’s coming.

2. The Praise Ascended from hearts that recognize His goodness.

3. The Power Accomplished through His transformative work.

This Advent, let us prepare our hearts for Christ by believing in His promises, rejoicing in His faithfulness, and sharing His mercy and love with the world. Like Mary, may our souls magnify the Lord, and our spirits rejoice in God our Savior!

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers