Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

           Text: St. Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said: “My soul praises the Lord and the spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus:

           Everyone wants recognition – and the honor that goes along with it. We begin to reach for this recognition already when we’re quite young. And if we don’t get the recognition and honor we think we deserve, our pride is hurt – and we can become angry, resentful, and filled with bitterness.

           And yet, our God gives us honor and recognition. This is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about. This is what Advent and Christmas are all about – that God has given us special recognition and honor in His Son. You see, God notices the unimportant of this world – while the world recognizes only those who are important and influential. The people that the world looks at and admires are the powerful, the strong, the wealthy, and the beautiful. Superstars, people in high positions, athletes and achievers – these are the people who receive recognition and honor in our world today.

           So, if we want to be honored, we must be or do something that impresses people. We have to outdo others – either in ability, intelligence, achievement, beauty, wealth, or social status. And yet, who in the world knew anything about a young woman named Mary who lived in Nazareth? And who really cared? However, look at what Mary says in her song of praise in the text for this morning – “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.” You see, God knew – and God cared!

           In the first chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel is the story of two women who were honored by God – even though, according to the world’s standards, they were both quite ordinary and unimportant. One was an old woman. Elizabeth was well beyond the age of child-bearing. Just an elderly woman! But more than that, not to have given birth to a child was considered a disgrace. People thought this meant that God didn’t care about her. But God indeed did care about her and notice her – for in her advanced years she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, John, who was the forerunner of our Lord. So, Elizabeth was given the special honor and distinction of being the mother of the one who was to prepare the way of the Lord.

           The other woman was Mary – and she also would be considered ordinary and unimportant. But God honored her by choosing her to be the mother of His eternally begotten Son. And no greater privilege or honor could ever be given to any human being. Elizabeth said to her – “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” And with these words, she recognized the great honor that God had bestowed on Mary. And then, Mary praised that God, who had chosen her to be the mother of our Lord – “My soul praises the Lord…for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”

           The honor that God had given was an undeserved gift of kindness and love – it was a gift of grace. Earlier, the angel Gabriel came to Mary and said – “You have found favor with God.” You see, people may be impressed by what others are and do, and they honor them because they’ve deserved it in some way – or have earned the recognition. But God isn’t impressed by who you are or what you have done. He isn’t moved by your power, wealth, influence, achievements, or social standing. God gives honor to those who have in no way deserved it – as a gift of His love. And this is what Mary was saying in her song of praise. For the grace that God had given her – only caused her to see His greatness.

           And yet, how often don’t you feel unimportant, or that there’s really no one who cares about you? And how often haven’t you felt that even God has forgotten about you? In the Old Testament, the Psalmist himself wondered whether God had forgotten and forsaken him. And this is also what the people of Israel must have felt like. Long before, God had promised Abraham that He would bless him and all of his descendants. And yet, here they were – living in Egypt as slaves.   No doubt, many of them had thought – “God has forgotten about us.” But God remembered – and sent a deliverer, Moses, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

           “Nobody cares about me.” This feeling of being forsaken, abandoned, and forgotten – is the result of sin. But God has remembered you – and has given you an honor you would have never thought possible. God acted, He sent His only Son to become one of us. He gave us a Savior! Just think of it! The eternal Son of God – took on our likeness. Christ did this – in order to take away the burden of our sins, our shame, and our disgrace.

           It is written – “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights as sons.” “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” With these words, spoken by the angel Gabriel, the child’s name wasn’t only announced, but also what this Child of Mary was to be and do. Our Lord became a human being. God acted – in order to bring us salvation.

           And this is what the greatness of God is all about. People who are powerful and strong can demand obedience and honor from others. But this isn’t how God works! He comes, exhibiting His power and glory, by coming as a humble, lowly infant. He comes – in order to honor us and give us the gift of forgiveness. The apostle Paul writes – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The burden of our disobedience has been laid on Jesus. And St. Peter writes – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree…by his wounds you have been healed.” We are forgiven. God declares us to be holy and righteous in His sight – because of Jesus Christ.

           The apostle John writes – “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And this is what we are!” Think of it! God has called us to be His own, His people in the world! He gave us His name as our own in Holy Baptism. So, we’re no longer ordinary and unimportant. We haven’t been forgotten and abandoned by God. In Jesus Christ – we are loved by God, we are His people, we are somebody – somebody special. Mary said – “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.”

           Every year at Christmas time, you’ll hear someone ask – “What can you give to the person who has everything?” And the answer is – “Nothing!” In the same way God can’t give anything to people who believe that they already have everything. In order to receive something from God, we must first acknowledge our great and desperate need. Only those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – will be filled and satisfied. And this righteousness is given to us by God – as a gift of His love. “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.”

           Long before Mary proclaimed her song of praise, Hannah, the mother of Samuel, said – “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.” And this is the honor that God has given us. He has lifted us up out of the ashes of our sins, and has given us special places of honor – there to inherit a blessing. And one of the reasons we look forward to Christ’s return is that He’ll acknowledge us as His own forever. Our sins will be forgotten. No mention will be made of our weaknesses, our many failures, or our disgrace. It will be as though they never existed. And there we’ll stand, honored by God as His people, eternally.



           How great our God is! “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.” This morning, praise God for His great love and mercy, and for the salvation that is yours through His Son. Elizabeth said about Mary – “Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” And you also are blessed – you who believe what God has said to you and given you in Jesus. Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.