When God Speaks, We Should Worship

The excitement was too much. Mary left home as soon as she was able. Elizabeth was sixth months pregnant, and seeing Elizabeth would increase her faith and allow her to celebrate God’s grace. Mary believed His word and trusted. She didn’t need confirmation. She needed spiritual strength.

Unlike Elizabeth, whose reproach among people would be lifted by God’s word, Mary knew that reproach was coming because she was unmarried and expecting a baby. Nevertheless, this was thrilling news. She needed to see her pregnant cousin.

This was an extraordinary time. Not only was the long anticipated Christ coming, He was making His way through these rather common people. The red carpet was being rolled out. But there were no cameras, no lights, no press conferences. There was only a mention in the ears of a virgin girl, an old man, and his barren wife.

Even in these trifling events, God broke His silence in a spectacular way. It was the first miracle in nearly a millennium, the first angelic appearance in half a millennium, and the first time God had spoken in several generations. It was all happening at once. And yet, it was nothing compared to the thunderous Word that would be born into this world.

A Common Need

The stories of Zechariah and Mary are strikingly parallel. Both involved common people being interrupted by an angelic visitation while doing their common duties. Both are greeted by Gabriel and deeply troubled. They were both told, “Do not be afraid,” and both promised a son. The promised sons were both considered unusually great. Zechariah and Mary responded to the angel with questions. The angel gave them both signs, and both were extraordinarily blessed for the sake of blessing the world.

Mary, desiring to affirm and strengthen her trust, rushed to Elizabeth’s house. And, while greeting her, baby John leaped in the womb—no doubt meeting his destiny as the herald of the Messiah. It was as if he was pointing and telling, “The Savior is here!” How could he do that? Because God said, “he will be filled with Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb” (Lk. 1:16).

His mother, exuding with joy and also filled with the Holy Spirit, realized what had happened and burst out a prophetic word of blessing. She blessed Mary, blessed Jesus, blessed herself, and blessed all who believe the Word of God (Lk. 1:42-45). Mary, also overwhelmed by it all, cried out in a song of worship, magnifying the Lord for His mercy and grace on the humble, His strength and might above all people, and for keeping His promise made 4,000 years prior.

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Luke 1:39-45

An Uncommon Word

The stories of Zechariah and Mary also had some differences. Some were more obvious than others. For instance, Zechariah was an old man. Mary was a young girl. Zechariah was married in need of a child. Mary was single and not seeking a child. Zechariah had a lifetime to cultivate his faith. Mary only had several years. Zechariah’s promise would lift his reproach among people. Mary’s would bring her reproach among people. Zechariah didn’t believe. Mary did.

More subtle differences are found when you look more closely. Zechariah’s son would be great among people. Mary’s son would be the epitome of great. Zechariah’s son would point to the Christ. Mary’s son would be the Christ.

Mary and Elizabeth’s shared joy was overwhelming. They were both caught up in adoration of the Lord. It was a spiritually rich time. Zechariah, made deaf and mute, would not have heard the loud bursts of his wife and cousin. So Mary followed Elizabeth’s prophetic blessing with “The Magnificat,” as it is commonly called today. It is the summary of the spirit of Christmas—the Lord’s promised gift now given to the world.

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And 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 mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Luke 1:46-55

Conclusion

These are stories of common folk just like you and me. Some of us are old and bruised by life. We’ve prayed for decades and seen no end. We’ve concluded that God is still silent. We’ve wondered if God is able. We’ve lost the connection with God’s Word. We see it as mere paper—not the culminating picture of Jesus. So we don’t read it.

The Scripture is God’s Word. The Scripture is where God speaks (Heb. 1:1-2). When our hearts grow cold and our lives become dull, we question His truths, dispute His gifts, and distrust His promises. The gospel of John describes Jesus as the incarnate Word of God, the Word made flesh, the climactic message of God, the divine self-expression. He existed before creation and was introduced into creation (Jn. 1:1-18). This is the birth of Christ.

When the written Word is read, the living Word is seen. This Christmas, how will you read God’s Word? Are you anticipating a profound break of silence as you reflect on the birth of the incarnate Word?

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