In order to have a Merry Christmas, we first need to understand Mary’s Christmas. 9 months before the first Christmas, Mary’s world was turned upside down. She was betrothed to Joseph and had plans, goals, dreams, and a timeline of her own. However, Mary was willing to give up her agenda to allow God to use her as a vessel to carry Jesus. Sure she had plenty of reason to panic, fear and doubt God, yet she magnified Him in the midst of her chaos. She was humble, obedient, submissive, and she changed history.
If God can do that with Mary, what could God do with someone today who is willing to say, “God, give me Your desires for my heart. Lord, be first always in my life even when I don’t understand.”
God is not impressed with our title in life, or our credentials. He is interested in our hearts. Mary’s heart clearly shines in Luke 1:46-49 as she sings her song of praise.
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.
If her heart was crowded with pride, fear and unbelief, she would not have been able to sing this song. There would be no room to magnify Jesus. When we magnify Him our pride, fear and unbelief gets smaller and Jesus becomes bigger in our heart.
How does it look in our life to have a Merry Christmas like Mary? God’s desires become ours. Our thoughts will be less on self and more on others. Our actions will show courage to put Jesus first around family, work and people wherever we go. Our heart will overflow with worship when we hear songs about Christmas and read the scripture.
Mary could have let pride, unbelief and fear stop her from going through with this great task. Instead she embraced the challenge, and praised God in the midst of it. The fear, doubt and chaos that 2020 has brought can either stop you from living life to it’s fullest or you can embrace the challenge and praise God in the midst of it. When we magnify Him we will see the mighty and great things He is doing in our life.
May your heart prepare Him room to be magnified this Christmas season, then you will find yourself having a Merry Christmas.
Tune My Heart 