Advent #3, 2023

Introduction

God wants you to enjoy the birth of Jesus! Don’t separate the religious stuff from the fun stuff. Instead, enjoy Christmas as much as possible, but be sure to glorify God as much as possible.

The Passage

39Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43“And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44“For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

46And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, 47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48“For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 49“For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. 50“And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. 51“He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. 52“He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. 53“He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed. 54“He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, 55As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.” 56And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home. Luke 1:39–56

Summary of the Passage

Gabriel told Mary that she will be the mother of the Lord and that the sign of this is that her cousin Elizabeth is also pregnant. So, after Gabriel left, Mary journeys alone to the hill country outside Jerusalem. It was probably a 2-3 day journey, which was dangerous. When she walks into Elizabeth’s house and says, “hey!” John leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb (v. 41). “Leaping” was the word used for animals leaping in the meadow. John was very happy to hear the voice of his Lord’s mom. The word for joy in verse 44 is a word that only occurs in the Bible and in later works in the early church. John was so joyful, Luke needed to make up a more joyful word. Elizabeth knew this wasn’t just another kick in the ribs by John because the Holy Spirit filled her (v. 41). She says that Mary is blessed because she believed the Lord (v.45) and that her child is blessed (v. 42). The Holy Spirit revealed to her that Mary was the mother of her Lord (v. 43).

Mary responds to this news with a song. This song is similar to Hannah’s song after God answered her prayer and gave her Samuel (1 Samuel 2:1-10). Mary begins the song with her soul and spirit rejoicing in God (vv. 46-47). But the rest of the song is her listing praises to the Lord. He regards the state of the lowly for all generations (v. 48). He does great things (v. 49). He is merciful to the generations that fear Him (v. 50). He scatters the proud (v.51). He brings down rules and exalts the lowly (v. 52). He feeds the hungry (v. 53). He helped the nation of Israel (v. 54). And He speaks to the descendants of Abraham forever (v. 55). After this encounter, Mary stays 3 months (likely helping with the birth of John) then leaves for home (v. 56).  

Joy is Communal

A tendency with sorrow, grief, and heart-ache is to conceal it and conceal yourself. But that doesn’t solve the problem. John Trapp said, “Greif grows greater by concealing, joy by expression.” Gabriel told Mary that the sign of her pregnancy will be Elizabeth’s pregnancy with John. This brought Mary to Elizabeth. Notice how Elizabeth changes from a temperament of concealment (v. 24) and disgrace to joy and excitement.

Relationships alone cannot bring true joy. Mary and Elizabeth could have easily formed a club where they grumbled and complained how God forced them to have kids. True community happens because Christ joins people together.

Joy is Generational

In the New Testament, John represents the Old Covenant age coming to a close. He is the last and greatest prophet of the Old Covenant. And he is excited that the Lord of the covenant has arrived. His joy represents the joy we should have. That the baton of joy should be passed from one generation to another. The baton of joy is also a baton of faith.

This entire scene shows how the faith of the generations passes down joy. First, look at Mary. She believed Gabriel and went to Elizabeth for the sign. She said “hey!” which made John joyful, which made Elizabeth joyful, which made Mary joyful. John’s first act as prophet is to give Elizabeth a jolt of joy and give Mary a kick of joy. Mary’s joy reveals her Bible-saturated faith. She obviously knew her scripture. She quotes two Psalms and I see an allusion to at least one other Psalm. Jesus had a mom who made sure he learned scripture through her nursery rhyme.

John heard Mary, believed she was the mother of the Lord, and rejoiced. We need to stop discounting children so much. Yes, children in the service pick up on how to pray and sing and stuff like that. But more importantly, children pick up what you believe and what you enjoy. The most joyful time our children experience every week is us worshipping God.

Joy is God-Given

In most religions, man has to ascend to God. Here, God comes down low for man. The Father sent angels to prepare for Jesus. The son humbled himself by becoming a baby. And the Spirit prepared the hearts of people to receive Jesus. In all of God’s actions, joy follows.

John was always filled with the Holy Spirit (1:15). But his first act of herald was heralding the coming of Jesus’ mother to his house. If John could have played a trumpet, he would have. Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit when she heard Mary (v. 41). Elizabeth told Mary that she is the “mother of my Lord” (v. 43). “Lord” is how the Greek Old Testament translated God’s divine name, YHWH. Elizabeth is witnessing that Jesus is Lord. Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit when he wrote his song (v. 67). Each family member is not filled with the Spirit for their own benefit but to be a witness. Obeying the Lord is how the Spirit uses us. The joy of the Lord is a favorite message of the Spirit in us.

Enjoy God in everything and everything in God. Being super-spiritual isn’t feeling depressed about your sin or keeping away from others. Spiritual maturity is not measured by the number of hours you can be alone but in the number of people you can bring joy to talking about Jesus. Don’t feel like you have to make an official ministry of the church “the ministry of people really serious about joy.” How about you start with your household (Mary and Elizabeth were cousins)? Have a fancy meal once per week to celebrate how good God is. Have a family game night where you actually believe Jesus wants you to have fun, not that you’re doing something naughty. Then invite others. This can be how we start intergenerational discipleship.

Conclusion

 My end-times view is called postmillennialism. The long and the short of it is that I believe Jesus will save the world and He will save every tribe, tongue, and nation of the world. The month of December is when everyone is a postmillennial because we all sing Joy to the World. When Christians are joyful in the Lord, we are living like how He wants us to live. His kingdom began with joy and it grows by joy.