1. Advent series Getting ready for Christmas Developing… an expectant heart a willing spirit a new world view a life vision

2. Luke 1: 39 - 56 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

3. 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!” 46 And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 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

4. 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

5. to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

6. Developing a new world view Our world view is the overall perspective from which we see and interpret the world. This informs our beliefs about life – and our actions and understanding.

7. Developing a new world view Mary, the mother of Jesus. A paragon of motherhood. Also an example of discipleship. How does she orient her life?

8. 1. Ordinary but blessed The angel calls her favoured. v31 Elizabeth calls her blessed. v42 Mary From now on all generations will call me blessed. v48 What qualities did Mary have? This tells us something about God and something about grace.

9. Two kinds of love The love of God doesn’t find but creates that which is pleasing to it. The love of man comes into being through that which it finds pleasing. Martin Luther 16 th C God created something wonderful in Mary.

10. Why Mary? Why us? Because God can and because God wants to.

11. The love of God is a generated act motivated in God’s own being. Just as the light and warmth of the sun that we feel on earth is generated within itself, and owes nothing to anything on earth or its inhabitants, other than to be orbiting in its reach. Christopher Wright

12. 2. Blend of fear and joy Predominant 21 st century world view of fear. Misplaced fear – afraid of everything… But not afraid of God. Mary was troubled; wondered what kind of greeting this might be v29 She feared the Lord. v50

13. We’ve lost the transcendent. We live horizontally. Fear of being exposed to our peers. But care less about what God thinks. Culture of shame – projecting a better person on the outside. But lose touch with the internal – what God can see.

14. Mary has a high regard for God – and also deep joy. Her joy and security is in her relationship with God. The joy of the L ORD is your strength. Neh 8:10 Are we fearful that God might let us go our own way?

15. My soul glorifies the Lord v46 My spirit rejoices in God v47 John in the womb leaps for joy! Deep joy – not thin joy. Joy of knowing God breaking in. Joy of knowing we deserve judgement and hell but we get grace and heaven.

16. 3. Self denial and self worth Mary understands the discipline of submission. I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said. v38 Richard Foster: Laying down the burden of always getting our own way.

17. 3. Self denial and self worth Learning to be happy even if we don’t have all we want. Bearing our losses. Avoiding pride. v51 Mary’s great security is knowing God’s will is always best.

18. 4. Purity and protest Mary is a model of piety. We aspire to her purity. But she’s also a model of protest. v51 - 53 Scattered the proud Brought down rulers Lifted the humble Filled the hungry

19. She’s above categorisation. Personal moral ethics. Also strong social ethics. Pure and powerful. Let’s choose to be current day Marys…

20. Radical living & a new world view Let us be people who are Ordinary but blessed Fearful and joyful Self denial but knowing self worth Purity and power