What is your soul magnifying this Christmas?

The King of kings was to be born, not in a palace among nobles but a stable among animals. Born not to a princess or queen but a young peasant girl - of humble estate.

When a poor unwed teenage virgin learned that she was carrying the Son of God and Savior of the world in her womb, she responded…

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant."

- Luke 1:46-48a

The King of kings was to be born, not in a palace among nobles but a stable among animals. Born not to a princess or queen but a young peasant girl of humble estate.

"And this shall be a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." (Luke 12:2)

The King of Glory, the only Son of the Father would divest himself of his glory and kingly riches to enter his creation as we all have - to be born.

"but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." (Phil 2:7)

For sure, Mary would have experienced the pain brought about by the Fall in the Garden when God said, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children." (Gen. 3:16a). But she would rejoice in the child in her arms!

The Christ, Emmanuel (God with us) is the only child in history to pick the time, place, and lineage of His birth.

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman..." (Gal. 4:4a)

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

"This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham..." (See Mt.1:1-17).

The Creator of the universe chose to manifest His glory by being born to one of his chosen creatures. God would tread upon the earth he formed. His mission? To save the crown of His creation from their sins. God's image-bearers had fallen into the pit of destruction and death. In Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection - He crushed the head of that ancient serpent (satan) and won ultimate victory.

We celebrate the in-breaking rule and reign of Jesus Christ into human history. It began with a humble birth. He lead a sinless life, experienced a brutal death, and a magnificent resurrection from the dead... All to redeem a people, a place and a Kingdom for himself.

Why? Why would God even bother?

The Answer: God's Glory.

The entire story of time, history and eternity are all about God's Glory. The Gospel we proclaim and believe is the manifestation of God's glory.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

In His goodness and love, God sent us His only Son to pay a debt we could not pay to save sinners who could not save themselves, to populate a Kingdom of the King of kings... all for His Glory.

Mary beheld a majestic glimpse of The Gospel Story you inhabit if Christ is your Savior...

In her humble estate, Mary's soul magnified the Lord, and her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior!

As you reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas;

What is being amplified in your life?

What is your soul magnifying today?

"Sacred infant all divine

What a tender love was thine

Thus to come from highest bliss,

Down to such a world as this!

Teach, O teach us, holy Child,

By thy face so meek and mild,

Teach us to resemble thee,

In thy sweet humility.

"See Amid the Winter's Snow" - Edward Caswell (1814-1878)