Advent, Week 3 - Give More
Mary and Elizabeth
Three weeks into Advent! Are you feeling it yet? The pressure? The rush? The noise? The spending?
Or should I say, are you feeling it yet? The Hope? The Peace? The Joy?
Unfortunately for many of us, we resonate more with the first list of questions rather than the second. This doesn’t mean you’re bad, or should feel guilty, but it certainly might mean you’re feeling something we call “conviction". That’s the sense that something isn’t right, that God’s Holy Spirit is trying to get your attention by putting a little catch in your breath.
Anchor Texts:
John 3:16-17 ESVUK - God’s Great Gift
Luke 1:46-55 ESVUK - Mary's Song of Praise
Matthew 1:18-23 ESVUK - The Birth of Jesus Christ
Questions to Ponder:
What would it look like this week for you to focus less on the presents and more on giving your time and presence?
What was the most meaningful gift you’ve ever received?
Do you feel Christ's presence at certain times or places or areas of your life? Which ones? When or where do you struggle to remain aware of Christ's presence?
Read Mary’s song of praise again. What is the dominate theme? How do you see it arise? What other themes are present?
What is the connection between a Christmas gift list or wish list and the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem? In other words, why do we celebrate with gift giving at Christmas? What are the good reasons, the bad reasons? How does John 3:16-17 inform these connections we make?
The Theme for Kids:
The Theme in Song:
Here are two takes on “Mary’s Song” - the first one, by kid’s artist Randall Goodgame sticks to the text exactly. The second song, by CCM artist Amy Grant is a story based on the events of Mary’s experience recorded in the gospels. Have a listen and think about the different ways each song speaks to you.
The Theme in Art:
This painting below is called “Oil of Joy” unfortunately it appears on the internet in several places on the internet but not artist’s name is given that I have been able to find.
I think the painting expressed the double-edged nature of Mary’s song of rejoicing - from humility she has been called by God and rejoices - and even though she rejoices, we learn that “a sword will pierce her own heart” from the angel giving her this amazing news. Joy in this life is always layered with longing, pain, and grief.
“Oil of Joy”, I’m still searching for the artist.