Mosaic Teaching Guide
20 December 09

Teaching Series: Portraits of Christmas

Teaching One: “Mary”

Text: Luke 1.46-56
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Question for Everyone: How many different places have you lived in your life?

Advent: A New Beginning

I love the Advent season mostly because it offers an opportunity to begin again.  Advent invites the church to start over. 

A Saving God

Mary’s song begins with this line: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Mary’s God comes to save us

 

Are You Saved?
        
Mary sings about a God who saves.  But I’m not sure that the kind of saving Mary sings about is the same kind of saving that my Baptist friend asked me about.

Luke’s Concern for the Poor

- “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
 - “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  Blessed are you who are hungry, now, for you will be filled.”  And then he goes on to say, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.”  - “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 
- “His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.”
        
Mary’s Subversive Song        
Mary’s story is living proof of the song she sings. 

Saving the World through an Unwed Teenage Mother.

How Do We Sing Mary’s Song?
Has God not chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?  But you have dishonored the poor.

Christmas in Romania

 

 

 

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