We need to make a Magnificat Decision this Christmas season.

Do you know what the oldest Christmas Carol is? It was actually written by Mary after she had an encounter with the Angel Gabriel and talked it over with her cousin Elizabeth.  The oldest Christmas Carol is found in Luke 1 and was actually written before the birth of Jesus Christ.

Magnificat Decision

Mary makes a Magnificat Decision! Magnificat means “to magnify,” and although she haced a great amount of trouble and worry, Mary made the decision to magnify God.

You may be facing many troubles this season and in the new year, but will you make a magnificat decision?

Carols 4 – Magnificat Decision from Redemption Church on Vimeo.

 

Carols 4 – Magnificat Decision

Sermon notes by Pastor Christopher Fluitt

Redemption Church Plano Tx

Merry Christmas Redemption Church! God rest ye merry gentlemen and gentlewomen.

That intro video was “Mary did you know” south African style. That was a group of south African kids singing. I think they could teach us a thing or two about moving with the music.  The name of the group is PROCLAIM. People all over the world are worshipping the savior in their own way. I love it.

Thank you for coming out to celebrate Jesus on Christmas Eve. In this final week of our Christmas Carols series we will look at the oldest Christmas Carol of all time.  Go ahead and take a moment and try to guess the name of this oldest Christmas Carol.

While you are contemplating this let’s look at the Word of God. Turn in your Bibles to Luke 1:26. This would be a great study for you to use your Bible. So if you are using a smartphone app, a Google search, or an actual book with pages, quickly turn to the first chapter of Luke.

Luke 1:26 (NIV2011) In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,

Luke 1:27 (NIV2011) to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 

 Luke 1:28 (NIV2011) The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 

 

Verse 26 mentions Elizabeth. Who is she?  Elizabeth is the cousin of Mary. Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant with a boy who is known as John the Baptist.

God sent an Angel. What was the Angel’s name? Gabriel was one of the 3 Arch Angels. He is an important angel, and he is sent to what town in Galilee? Nazareth was a tiny little town. They estimate it could have been as small as 50 people.  Nazareth was an often joked about area.  “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” the disciple Nathaniel exclaimed in John 1:46.

The overlooked town of Nazareth had the attention of God, and He sent his arch angel to Nazareth to speak with a woman named Mary who was a virgin, and engaged to marry a man named Joseph.

Here is how Mary responds to the Angels greeting.

Luke 1:29 (NIV2011) Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 

Luke 1:30 (NIV2011) But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 

Luke 1:31 (NIV2011) You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 

Luke 1:32 (NIV2011) He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 

Luke 1:33 (NIV2011) and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 

Luke 1:34 (NIV2011) “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 

Luke 1:35 (NIV2011) The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.