Friday - Third Day of Christmas

Prayer:  All glory to You,  Great God,  for the gift of Your Son, light in darkness and hope of the world,  whom You sent to save humankind.  With singing angels,  let us praise Your name, and tell the earth the story of the Christ Child, so that all may believe, rejoice, and bow down,  acknowledging Your love.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  (Prayer from  “The Worshipbook Services.”   Philadelphia:  The Westminster Press, 1970.  Page137.)

 

Read  St Luke 1: 46 – 55

 

This is the song (prayer) that Mary sang when she went to visit with her relative Elizabeth.   Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaims to Mary that Mary is blessed among women and blessed is the child she will bear.    While this is a song (prayer) that is actually before the Birth of Christ story,  it often gets overlooked at Christmas time.  And this is a song that must be read!

Mary responds to Elizabeth’s  exclamation with this song. 

⁴⁶ And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

⁴⁷ And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

⁴⁸ For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

⁴⁹ For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

⁵⁰ And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

⁵² He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

⁵³ He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

⁵⁴ He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

⁵⁵ As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

⁵⁶ And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

(King James Version    Cleveland:  The World Publishing Company)

 

We have used the King James Version not because this is the way Mary spoke (She didn’t.  Mary would have spoken in Aramaic)  but because this song or prayer needs the grandness of the King James Version.

 

What words  or phrases leap out at you.  Why do you think these words or phrases demand your attention.

 

What prayer will you pray today in thanks to God for bringing us new life in the birth of His Son,  Jesus Christ,  our Lord and Saviour?

 

Prayer:  Our Souls magnifies You,  O LORD.  Our spirits rejoice in God our Saviour.  For You have brought new life into our hearts and lives.  Everlasting God,  You have done great things for us – Holy is Your Name.   Your mercy extends to those who fear You,  from generation to generation.  This day,  Our Saviour,  we bring to You our thanks……………….(pray here for the things that you are thankful for this day)…………….  Holy God,  You brought peace and mercy and goodwill to earth when Christ was born.  Fill our hearts with gladness yet again so that we can be the bearers of Your peace and mercy and goodwill to all.  This we ask in the name of Your Infant Son,  Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.  Amen.