1. God's gracious and wondrous notice of a lowly and common person (vs. 46-50). Mary exhalts in the Lord, because the God of Israel has chosen her to be blessed. God had done great things for her. God's mercy was evident in her life. It is hard to miss the awe in Mary's words. There is no explanation for God's choice; there is simply the joy of receiving His unexpected favor.

2. The paradox of God's mighty acts in history (vs. 51-53). God has consistently shown His power not through the grand and glorious events of human life, but through the lowly, the poor, and the humble. His work in history began with nomads like Abraham; it took shape in the nation of Israel, formed from a band of slaves; it would come to focus in the lonely and painful death of Jesus on a Cross. But, through these seemingly insignificant events, God's redemptive power is demonstrated. God's actions are never easily understood by those who see life in terms of wealth, power, and success.

3. God will remember His promises, (vs. 54-55). God follows through on His promises to the lowly. Those whose only recourse or consolation is in the Lord will not be disappointed. In Christ, His promise to Abraham is fulfilled; the whole world is blessed. The Cross, as humiliating as it was, signaled to the beginning of new life for all who would call on his name.

Advent is a time to celebrate, for it reminds us that God is for us and not against us. God "takes notice" of all his people, meeting their needs and blessing their lives. One does not need to achieve a certain status to be worthy of God's favor; it simply cannot be earned. It is only to be received joyfully, and thankfully remembered. That's what Christmas ultimately is all about.

THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:41-52

The only incident from Jesus' childhood that is recorded in the New Testament serves to connect the birth and infancy narratives to the beginning of His public ministry. It is illustrative of ordinary Jewish life in the first century, and therefore gives us insight into Jesus' development as a person. During the course of a normal religious festival, young Jesus is separated from his parents. After an anxious time of searching, he is discovered to be in the Temple with the teachers, asking questions and learning. His response to their inquire as to His whereabouts, ("Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"), indicates a deep and abiding relationship to God even as a child. His manner of life produced a vigorous and healthy self development, and brought Him a high degree of endearment to those around Him.

This text is informative and inspirational at the point of Jesus' personhood. When we are tempted to detach Jesus from normal human life, this text can help us.

1. Jesus' life was lived in common circumstances. He lived as an ordinary Jewish boy. He participated in normal rites of passage. He participated in a full family life, cared for by his parents as any other child. He was obedient to them, later taking on His father's trade. These facts remind us that the miracle of incarnation took place not in extraordinary times or circumstances, but within a human context much like any other.

2. Jesus was himself a disciple. It is paradoxical for many, but it is true that Jesus was a learner. The text says he was in the Temple listening and asking questions. How else is a mind and heart to be trained? Jesus' unique relationship to the Heavenly Father was the product of disciplined obedience to that which He learned. When we become complacent in our learning or weary in our discipleship, the image of Jesus sitting with His teachers can shake us.

3. Jesus' development was based on His relationship to God. The picture painted by the text is of a young man whose life was full and whose relationships were many. The young Jesus must have been extraordinarily healthy and happy. As He grew physcially, He also grew in wisdom, and in favor with God and with others. Obedient relationship with God orders priorities in such a way that the fullest and the best of life is possible. Jesus' human life is a pattern to be followed, for He fulfilled what all of us are to be.

The Advent sermons were prepared by Rev. Cliff Lyda, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Palatka, Florida

The November text sermons were prepared by Dr. Michael Duduit, editor of Preaching.