WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.759 Let me ask you, what sort of people sing loudest at Christmas time? What sort of people sing loudest? 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:16.719 ! You might not be a Pavarotti. I guess what I'm asking really is, who sings with the loudest heart? 00:00:17.379 --> 00:00:20.260 Who has the loudest heart at Christmas? 00:00:20.260 --> 00:00:29.760 The story goes of a conference in a Presbyterian church in the United States where people at the beginning of a service 00:00:29.760 --> 00:00:38.640 were given helium balloons. And they were told, release the helium balloon when you know joy in your heart. 00:00:39.859 --> 00:00:44.859 I guess they didn't feel comfortable shouting, praise the Lord, hallelujah, that's okay. 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:55.060 But during the service, slowly balloons started to ascend around the room. It must have been a great thing. 00:00:55.060 --> 00:01:05.159 But by the end of the service, a third of the people were still sat there, gripping their balloons tightly. 00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:11.939 Joy had not surfaced for them yet. 00:01:11.939 --> 00:01:22.879 Real joy is really hard to get hold of, isn't it? It's really hard to know real joy in the face of ill health, 00:01:23.959 --> 00:01:25.980 or unemployment, or difficulty. 00:01:27.299 --> 00:01:31.859 Can you know real joy when you are sad in life? 00:01:32.599 --> 00:01:37.379 Is there real joy in January, as well as December? 00:01:37.379 --> 00:01:42.079 Well, joy is a big theme in the early chapters of Luke. 00:01:42.219 --> 00:01:44.099 There's lots of joy, isn't there? 00:01:44.140 --> 00:01:45.959 The joy of the hopeful. 00:01:46.359 --> 00:01:50.319 So we heard about Anna and Simeon a couple of Sundays ago. 00:01:51.019 --> 00:01:57.000 The joy of the heavenly host, as they announce the arrival of this great king. 00:01:57.299 --> 00:02:00.299 The joy of the hearers of God's announcement. 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:01.319 Think of Elizabeth. 00:02:01.319 --> 00:02:06.879 And the joy of baby John the Baptist in the womb. 00:02:07.119 --> 00:02:12.159 He leaps for joy, doesn't he, in verse 44 of our passage. 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:16.500 And then, this morning, we've got Mary's joy. 00:02:17.180 --> 00:02:19.039 The song of Mary. 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:23.639 And in this, we see the joy of the lowly. 00:02:24.180 --> 00:02:26.079 The joy of the lowly. 00:02:26.080 --> 00:02:30.920 Only Luke records this song in his gospel. 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:32.300 It's unique to him. 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:34.780 You wonder why, actually, he puts it here. 00:02:35.240 --> 00:02:37.920 You know, if he's wanting to give a narrative of the events, 00:02:38.260 --> 00:02:39.980 he could have just chopped this out. 00:02:40.260 --> 00:02:41.780 It doesn't need to be here. 00:02:42.220 --> 00:02:43.540 If you look at verse 45, 00:02:43.740 --> 00:02:47.980 you could read straight on from that verse into verse 56, couldn't you? 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:51.000 The narrative wouldn't suffer for that. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:56.080 But it's as if this song is like a showstopper. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:02.419 This is a showstopper where the story is put on hold, just for a few seconds. 00:03:03.500 --> 00:03:06.520 Because the response here is joy. 00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:07.520 It spills out. 00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:09.659 We have got to sing about this. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:11.020 News. 00:03:11.360 --> 00:03:13.379 We have got to sing about this. 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:18.639 Luke gives an interpretation of what he's saying in these events. 00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:20.699 At the birth of Jesus, doesn't he? 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:24.219 And for Mary, this is no mere passing interest. 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:27.800 This is no mere general pleasure. 00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:34.159 For Mary, this is the most amazing thing she has ever heard. 00:03:35.340 --> 00:03:38.139 She is beside herself with joy. 00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:45.780 Because in Mary, the lowly sing the most loudly. 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:50.520 In Mary, the lowly sing the most loudly. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:53.960 If you look at her song from verse 46, 00:03:54.280 --> 00:03:56.000 you can see that as a theme, isn't it? 00:03:56.020 --> 00:03:57.180 Look at verse 48. 00:03:58.460 --> 00:04:03.659 The Lord God has looked on the humble estate of his servant. 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:06.300 And verse 52, 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:10.199 he has exalted those of humble estate. 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:12.079 Verse 51, 00:04:12.299 --> 00:04:13.919 He's scattered the proud. 00:04:14.919 --> 00:04:16.159 Do you see the theme here? 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:19.620 The lowly sing the most loudly. 00:04:20.719 --> 00:04:24.259 It's those who know that they have got absolutely nothing 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:27.180 who really get Christmas. 00:04:27.180 --> 00:04:30.340 She gets it, doesn't she? 00:04:30.340 --> 00:04:34.920 The balloon of joy rises for Mary. 00:04:35.819 --> 00:04:36.860 For three reasons. 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:39.259 Firstly, God looks on the lowly. 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:41.540 God looks on the lowly. 00:04:41.540 --> 00:04:47.360 I wonder who you would choose to bear the Son of God. 00:04:48.140 --> 00:04:50.180 The incarnate Son of God. 00:04:51.620 --> 00:04:55.120 Before she became probably the most famous woman in the world. 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:58.100 We've got to wonder, who on earth was Mary anyway? 00:04:59.300 --> 00:05:00.180 Who was she? 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:03.240 We don't know much about her, do we? 00:05:03.240 --> 00:05:04.379 She was a young girl. 00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:07.439 She lived in a little village in the north. 00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:10.420 With the country bumpkins up north. 00:05:10.819 --> 00:05:11.860 In Galilee. 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:16.019 And there was a huge difference between people who lived in Galilee up north 00:05:16.019 --> 00:05:19.480 and the people who lived in Judah where Elizabeth was. 00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:20.720 For example. 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:24.339 One historian says that a Galilean down south 00:05:24.339 --> 00:05:27.879 was like having a Texan in New York. 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:29.800 I don't know if that means anything to you. 00:05:30.500 --> 00:05:31.759 They were the outsiders. 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:34.360 They were the cowboys. 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:37.019 They didn't belong here. 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:39.419 They were not one of us. 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:43.459 Separated by the land of the Samaritans. 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:45.680 And here is this girl. 00:05:46.859 --> 00:05:50.539 Women would have been looked down on in society in Luke's day. 00:05:51.339 --> 00:05:53.620 And so she's the last one you'd pick, isn't she? 00:05:53.939 --> 00:05:56.579 To start getting a religion going. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:58.659 If you want to sort of make up a religion. 00:05:58.919 --> 00:06:00.579 It would have been ridiculous, wasn't it? 00:06:00.719 --> 00:06:04.000 It's one of the reasons why this story cannot be made up. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:12.360 An unexpected pregnancy in a Jewish family would have been buried deep in the family closet, wouldn't it? 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:14.759 Start a new religion. 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:15.900 Get famous. 00:06:16.020 --> 00:06:18.920 Well, I'll make up a story about an angel visiting me. 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:21.639 And getting pregnant when I'm a virgin. 00:06:22.180 --> 00:06:23.280 As a teenager. 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:25.180 It's just ridiculous, isn't it? 00:06:26.340 --> 00:06:27.980 No one would believe it. 00:06:28.840 --> 00:06:30.660 You couldn't make it up. 00:06:31.020 --> 00:06:32.240 If it wasn't true. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:35.379 She's such an obscure figure. 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:36.920 She is young. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:37.800 She's feeble. 00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:38.920 She's insignificant. 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:40.420 A village girl. 00:06:41.680 --> 00:06:42.900 She is lowly. 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:45.439 And yet, verse 48. 00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:47.139 Look how she starts her song. 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:50.939 My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:56.340 For he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. 00:06:56.339 --> 00:07:00.099 God has looked upon me. 00:07:00.779 --> 00:07:02.439 God has picked me out. 00:07:02.599 --> 00:07:03.500 Why me? 00:07:03.719 --> 00:07:04.399 She thinks. 00:07:05.779 --> 00:07:08.000 She finds the favour of God. 00:07:08.119 --> 00:07:10.659 Or rather, the favour of God finds her. 00:07:11.359 --> 00:07:13.239 God favours the lowly. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:19.000 And for God to look at her, that is not just like looking through one-way glass, is it? 00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:21.919 It is an active thing that God is doing. 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:27.680 He is not just observing, but he wants to get involved with this girl's life. 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:31.480 He directs his energy towards her. 00:07:31.840 --> 00:07:32.939 To bless her. 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:33.879 To love her. 00:07:34.439 --> 00:07:36.480 To show himself to her. 00:07:37.640 --> 00:07:42.920 To bless the kind of people who have got nothing to give him in return. 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:46.080 He loves to help the lowly. 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:47.379 The undeserving. 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:52.920 God does not bless us because we have got anything to give him. 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:57.939 All we bring is our poverty and our guilt. 00:07:59.100 --> 00:08:00.620 I wonder if you believe that this morning. 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:04.879 You have nothing to give to God. 00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:07.259 You have nothing to give him. 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:13.779 So to sing like Mary with a full heart is to sing with empty hands. 00:08:13.779 --> 00:08:17.179 Because if you know you have got nothing to give God. 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:21.139 Well actually this is your happy Christmas, isn't it? 00:08:22.599 --> 00:08:26.739 Mary tells us actually you have got everything to rejoice about. 00:08:27.459 --> 00:08:29.239 If you know you have got nothing. 00:08:30.159 --> 00:08:32.279 Because God looks on the lowly. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:34.699 He comes to seek the lost. 00:08:35.579 --> 00:08:36.879 He wants the guilty. 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:38.519 He wants the shamed. 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:39.740 He wants the wretched. 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:41.480 He wants the dirty. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:45.519 He wants those who are scandalised by the world. 00:08:47.420 --> 00:08:50.980 So this is paradoxical Christian joy, isn't it? 00:08:51.580 --> 00:08:54.240 It is joy in our emptiness. 00:08:55.460 --> 00:08:56.820 And in our lack. 00:08:57.800 --> 00:08:59.539 In the lack of our lives. 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:02.860 When we know we've got nothing to give God. 00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:04.080 He looks on the lowly. 00:09:05.340 --> 00:09:07.980 And God is active in humanity. 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:09.620 When we don't expect it. 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:11.120 When we don't deserve it. 00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:14.420 He comes uninvited to us. 00:09:14.539 --> 00:09:16.879 When we least deserve it. 00:09:17.039 --> 00:09:18.639 When we least reckon he will. 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:21.340 To the people who don't expect him. 00:09:21.420 --> 00:09:22.460 To the little people. 00:09:23.300 --> 00:09:24.700 To the lowly people. 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:27.300 God looks on the lowly. 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:29.860 Secondly though. 00:09:29.920 --> 00:09:33.600 Mary rejoices because God is saviour to the lowly. 00:09:33.899 --> 00:09:36.720 God is saviour to the lowly. 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:41.399 It's worth thinking about why Mary is so happy here. 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:41.759 Isn't it? 00:09:41.820 --> 00:09:44.600 What is it that Mary is rejoicing about? 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:48.840 She's got news of this baby coming. 00:09:50.060 --> 00:09:53.080 When you think about the difference between Mary and Elizabeth. 00:09:53.920 --> 00:09:55.920 Whose home she has just visited. 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:57.980 Who is also expecting. 00:09:58.660 --> 00:10:00.759 There is a similarity. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:03.740 They're both impossible pregnancies aren't they? 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:05.439 Elizabeth is barren. 00:10:06.439 --> 00:10:08.100 Mary is a virgin. 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:10.279 It's a work of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:15.299 But I don't think Mary's concern is having a family. 00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:18.259 I don't think that's what it is. 00:10:18.359 --> 00:10:19.339 She's unmarried. 00:10:19.459 --> 00:10:21.339 She's probably about 13 or 14. 00:10:22.319 --> 00:10:24.659 She is not worried at this stage of life. 00:10:24.699 --> 00:10:26.599 I don't think about barrenness. 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:29.879 That is not on the agenda. 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:31.779 Luke doesn't mention that anywhere. 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:34.439 The baby though is good news. 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:37.000 Not because she wants to be a mother. 00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:40.000 Maybe that's more the case for Elizabeth. 00:10:41.899 --> 00:10:45.039 Now Mary pinpoints the heart issue of this. 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:48.480 She rejoices because the baby says to her. 00:10:48.579 --> 00:10:49.719 Verse 47. 00:10:51.079 --> 00:10:54.719 She rejoices in God my saviour. 00:10:55.860 --> 00:10:57.500 God my saviour. 00:10:58.839 --> 00:11:02.980 She understands who this baby will be doesn't she? 00:11:03.059 --> 00:11:05.980 She understands that this child whose name Jesus. 00:11:06.339 --> 00:11:07.419 It means saviour. 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:09.120 It means deliverer. 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:13.779 This baby as Gabriel tells her will be king and messiah. 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:15.120 The son of the most high. 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:17.319 And he will save. 00:11:19.079 --> 00:11:21.699 The child that she will wean. 00:11:22.439 --> 00:11:24.620 The baby that she will cuddle. 00:11:25.659 --> 00:11:29.419 The baby that grows up in the home will one day save her. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:33.759 He will save her when she cannot save herself. 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:39.319 And so what this means is that actually before Christmas becomes a delight. 00:11:40.199 --> 00:11:42.299 Before it becomes a joy to us. 00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:46.860 Christmas must first be an indictment upon us. 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:49.000 An indictment. 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:51.079 It tells us that we need a saviour. 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:54.520 The fire crew are at the door. 00:11:54.520 --> 00:11:57.420 And they are breaking in because we need rescuing. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:00.600 The house is full of smoke. 00:12:01.900 --> 00:12:03.180 And so the baby coming. 00:12:03.300 --> 00:12:04.100 The saviour coming. 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:05.600 Is a siren call. 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:07.660 That we are in deep deep danger. 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:09.180 And Mary knows that. 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:12.120 He is her delight. 00:12:12.420 --> 00:12:15.820 Because she knows her need for him as saviour. 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:18.760 The fire crew. 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:21.280 When it comes outside the house. 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:22.840 It tells me I am being saved. 00:12:22.920 --> 00:12:23.100 Yes. 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:24.480 But it also tells me. 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:26.320 The house is going down. 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:28.620 And I have got to get out. 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:31.480 That I am in massive, massive danger. 00:12:32.520 --> 00:12:33.879 And I need a saviour. 00:12:36.260 --> 00:12:37.660 As a Jewish girl. 00:12:37.760 --> 00:12:39.620 She has grown up in the family. 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:41.120 She has learnt. 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:41.720 Hasn't she? 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:43.200 The Bible. 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:43.980 She has learnt. 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:45.580 The family history. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:48.519 She knows how the relationship between God. 00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:50.519 And the people is going. 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:52.740 And it is fractured. 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:55.019 It is not good. 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:58.679 There is a rift between humanity. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.519 And God. 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:04.639 They are back in the land of Israel. 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.240 Aren't they? 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:06.700 From exile. 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.860 But it is far from ideal. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:11.700 The promises of all of the prophets in the Old Testament. 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:12.700 For a king. 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:15.680 To bring righteousness and justice. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.899 To unite the people in purity. 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:22.340 The prospect of God's presence with them. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:23.440 Brought together. 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:28.200 Are things that the prophets have been pointing to. 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:29.480 But it has been so long. 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:33.800 And the dream has been consigned to history. 00:13:34.180 --> 00:13:34.720 For some. 00:13:35.420 --> 00:13:36.560 They have lost hope. 00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:38.060 Centuries have gone by it. 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:39.099 There has just been darkness. 00:13:40.099 --> 00:13:42.539 Just a thick black wall of silence. 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.419 I wonder if you ever feel like that. 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:47.259 If you ever pray. 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:50.599 And you just feel like your prayers are just hitting a glass ceiling. 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:53.199 There is something in the way. 00:13:53.339 --> 00:13:54.639 There is bad feeling. 00:13:55.479 --> 00:13:57.159 Between you and your God. 00:13:59.479 --> 00:14:00.000 Bonhoeffer. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:03.740 Advent is like being in a prison cell. 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:05.480 One waits. 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:05.480 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:06.820 Hopes and does this. 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:07.720 That or the other. 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:09.799 Things that are of really no consequence. 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:11.840 Because the door is shut. 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.240 And the only way. 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:15.659 It can be opened. 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:16.820 Is from the outside. 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:20.539 And the child coming. 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.240 For Mary. 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:23.220 Is God. 00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:24.759 Jangling the keys. 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:25.980 Outside the door. 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:29.379 That God is entering and breaking in. 00:14:29.460 --> 00:14:30.259 To save. 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:31.879 The fire crew is at the door. 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:33.800 You know. 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:34.860 We have got to get around this. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.940 Sentimental view of Mary. 00:14:37.180 --> 00:14:37.399 Hasn't. 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:37.920 Haven't we. 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:39.480 We have to honour her. 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:42.500 And think of how God has blessed her. 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.759 But she didn't have a halo. 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.139 Did she. 00:14:45.300 --> 00:14:46.360 She was a sinner. 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:48.700 She was in grave. 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:49.600 Grave danger. 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.560 Under the slavery. 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:53.240 Of her own guilt. 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.680 Waiting for a rescuer. 00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:57.580 As one preacher famously put it. 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:59.580 If her greatest need was for information. 00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:01.240 God would have sent an educator. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:03.940 If it was for technology. 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:05.460 God would have sent a scientist. 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.820 If it was for pleasure. 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:09.680 God would have sent an entertainer. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.680 If it was for money. 00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:12.960 He would have sent an economist. 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:16.580 But since her greatest need was for forgiveness. 00:15:16.900 --> 00:15:18.620 God sends a saviour. 00:15:20.400 --> 00:15:23.600 And the only reason why God saves her. 00:15:23.780 --> 00:15:26.019 Is because when left to herself. 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:28.120 She is absolutely lost. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:31.740 And if he doesn't do it. 00:15:31.900 --> 00:15:33.000 No one will. 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:35.180 No one can. 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:39.180 And that is what lowliness is about. 00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:41.500 It is being helpless. 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:43.500 It is being defenseless. 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:46.879 It is being in a prison. 00:15:47.539 --> 00:15:49.720 Where we cannot rescue ourselves. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:53.340 There is an idea going around. 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:55.720 That God is quite harsh. 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:57.440 That God is unfair. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.960 To ask human beings. 00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:02.440 To pay something to him. 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.320 That they cannot pay. 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.700 To demand from us. 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:06.779 What we cannot pay. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:08.019 Have you heard of that? 00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:09.820 So people say. 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:10.200 Don't they. 00:16:10.260 --> 00:16:12.340 How can you talk about a God. 00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:14.360 Who punishes sin. 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.520 When everyone knows. 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.879 That no one is perfect. 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:20.540 It is unfair. 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:22.160 For God to demand. 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.320 A life of. 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:24.680 Perfection. 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:27.240 When no one is able. 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.000 To do that. 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.820 No one is able. 00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:31.060 To live that life. 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:33.780 But if you think about. 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.680 The logic of that. 00:16:34.780 --> 00:16:36.020 That does not work. 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:37.280 That is like me saying. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:37.959 To the bank. 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:38.339 Isn't it. 00:16:38.339 --> 00:16:39.139 After taking out. 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:40.659 A ten thousand pound loan. 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:42.100 Me turning up. 00:16:42.199 --> 00:16:42.419 And saying. 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:42.659 You know. 00:16:42.819 --> 00:16:44.379 I can't pay off the loan. 00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:45.919 Because I've spent all of my money. 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:48.059 And then expecting them. 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:48.459 To say. 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.439 Well if you don't have it. 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.659 You don't have to pay it off. 00:16:51.839 --> 00:16:52.959 Our responsibility. 00:16:52.959 --> 00:16:54.159 To give God. 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.159 What he deserves. 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.720 Is not cancelled out. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:57.879 By our inability. 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.759 To give it. 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.659 That is not. 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:01.439 God's fault. 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:04.080 That is our fault. 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:06.220 Because we've willingly. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.320 Turned from him. 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.259 We've done that. 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:09.500 Not him. 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:12.240 And so we are in a prison. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.580 We're in a prison. 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:16.240 Made for ourselves. 00:17:17.840 --> 00:17:18.960 So you can try this. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.519 Or that. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.980 One thing or another. 00:17:21.080 --> 00:17:21.620 You can try. 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.500 A bit of religion. 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.880 You can try. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.140 Living a good life. 00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:26.820 But really. 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.940 It's of no consequence. 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:29.019 Because the problem is. 00:17:29.080 --> 00:17:30.000 The door is shut. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.039 And it can only be open. 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:31.900 From the outside. 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.500 We cannot please. 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.180 God alone. 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.319 We are in debt. 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.420 To him. 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.519 And there is no way. 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:39.579 To pay him back. 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.940 And admitting that. 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:43.160 Is true lowliness. 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:46.240 It is not a superficial. 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.740 That's humility. 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.220 It's all of us. 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:50.559 Isn't it. 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.799 If we will admit that. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:52.660 Today. 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.539 Before God. 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.819 It is saying to you God. 00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:57.240 I have got nothing. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:18:00.900 So it will be a delight. 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.519 For you. 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.720 It will be a true. 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.319 Moment of rejoicing. 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.339 When you realise. 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.039 That Christmas. 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:06.839 Is first. 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.819 An indictment. 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.539 Upon you. 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.400 Tells you that. 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.720 You need a saviour. 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:14.200 Mary rejoices. 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.559 As God looks on the lowly. 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:17.059 The saviour to the lowly. 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:18.180 But how does he do it? 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:18.859 Thirdly. 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:20.059 How does he do this? 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:21.620 Rescue. 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:23.420 God exalts the lowly. 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.900 What does the salvation. 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:26.279 Actually look like? 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:29.539 Well if you look at her song. 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:31.460 It looks like. 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.359 A war. 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:33.779 Actually. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.299 Mary is singing. 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:38.279 A battle song here. 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:40.480 It pictures God. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.000 As a warrior. 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:43.960 Who appears in battle. 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:46.099 To rescue his people. 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:48.180 I forget some of the language she uses. 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:48.940 Verse 49. 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.579 He is mighty. 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.339 Verse 51. 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.339 He's shown strength. 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:54.899 With his arm. 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:56.240 Verse 52. 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:58.600 He's brought down the mighty. 00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:00.000 From their thrones. 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:01.860 This is the picture of a king. 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:04.500 A righteous warrior king. 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:06.140 Who is defeating his enemies. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:09.680 He helps his servant Israel. 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:11.000 Verse 54. 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.400 God saves. 00:19:13.540 --> 00:19:14.540 God rescues. 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:16.120 By winning a war. 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.780 He gets into battle. 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:20.740 The language is quite violent. 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:21.240 Isn't it? 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:22.100 It's quite aggressive. 00:19:22.099 --> 00:19:24.199 He scatters. 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:28.539 He throws mighty kings down. 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.980 It's fighting talk. 00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:33.919 Christmas is God engaging in a war. 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:37.559 But it's not a war on terror. 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:40.759 It's not a political war. 00:19:41.439 --> 00:19:44.799 It's not a war on global warming. 00:19:44.899 --> 00:19:47.559 It's not the war of an oppressive tyrant. 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:51.919 But it is a war on God's greatest enemy. 00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:54.679 It is a war on pride. 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:59.139 Do you see the war that he wages? 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:02.859 He scatters the proud. 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.579 In the thoughts of their hearts. 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:08.519 He brings down the mighty. 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:12.079 He sends the rich away. 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:14.679 He exalts the humble. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:21.360 It is a war that violently disturbs the whole world system. 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:25.279 It is a world shaking war. 00:20:25.840 --> 00:20:31.279 It is a war that changes the numbers on the podium of life. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:36.140 Where the proud are brought down and the lowly are raised. 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:40.560 And he does it in the most unexpected fashion. 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:43.060 Because he himself. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.259 The king of glory. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:46.040 Will bend the rules. 00:20:46.580 --> 00:20:47.400 Of the world. 00:20:48.520 --> 00:20:50.840 He will bend himself. 00:20:52.020 --> 00:20:54.300 To this new world order. 00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:57.000 To his new world order. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:21:01.859 As the exalted eternal almighty God. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.680 The son of God. 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:06.700 He will turn himself upside down. 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:09.039 He will plummet. 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:11.440 To the dust of the earth. 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:16.079 The greatest power that the universe has ever seen. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:21.140 Will contract himself down to the very epitome of weakness. 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:25.860 And he comes down to lift his people up. 00:21:27.520 --> 00:21:31.600 As the Christian writer Ambrose said. 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:34.259 In the sobs of that appalling infancy. 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:37.180 He was on the earth. 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:40.120 So that you might be in the stars. 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:43.060 He came to the inn. 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:45.100 That you might live in heaven. 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.580 He became poor. 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:49.440 That you might become rich. 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:51.980 Wrapped in swaddle. 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:54.960 That you might be robed in his righteousness. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:58.779 He is the ultimate freedom fighter. 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:02.120 And he wages his war on pride. 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.680 He comes like a warrior. 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:05.220 But he comes silently. 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:06.019 Doesn't he? 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:08.519 Unexpectedly. 00:22:09.380 --> 00:22:11.200 Not with fanfares from above. 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:13.000 Not with scenes of glory. 00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:14.600 But a humble gift of love. 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:16.740 Jesus born of Mary as we sung. 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:23.160 Isaiah speaks of the Lord's servant in Isaiah 49. 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:25.500 In the shadow of his hand. 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:27.640 He hid me away. 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:30.559 Like a polished arrow. 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.539 In his quiver. 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:34.259 He hid me away. 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:39.220 And the polished arrow strikes human pride. 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.519 Hidden away. 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:45.559 By choosing to appear to a little girl. 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:47.759 In a country village. 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:51.619 To reduce himself to the womb of a girl. 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:54.980 With weapons of humility and weakness. 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.480 Thomas Merton. 00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.440 A writer. 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.259 A Christian writer. 00:23:00.639 --> 00:23:01.680 Wrote in his book. 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:03.240 Raids on the unspeakable. 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.579 He says this. 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.859 Into this world. 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:10.659 In which there is absolutely no room for him at all. 00:23:11.479 --> 00:23:13.179 Christ has come uninvited. 00:23:14.639 --> 00:23:17.299 But because he cannot be at home in it. 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:20.619 Because he is out of place in it. 00:23:20.719 --> 00:23:21.859 And yet must be in it. 00:23:21.939 --> 00:23:25.819 His place is with those for whom there is no room. 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:30.000 His place is with those who do not belong. 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:35.839 His war is to make his home with the lowly people. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:38.059 With the sinners. 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.880 With the sick. 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.619 With the lame. 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.500 With the blind. 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:43.559 With babies. 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:46.000 This is his war. 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:49.440 To come and seek and save the lost. 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:49.640 Christ. 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:55.799 So if you think that you can pay God this morning. 00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:58.500 If you think that you can earn. 00:23:58.940 --> 00:24:00.580 His favour this morning. 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:03.860 If you've got something to give to God. 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:05.799 This child has come. 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:08.080 And war is upon you. 00:24:09.320 --> 00:24:11.559 This saviour is not for you. 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:13.559 He is against you. 00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:16.880 Because God looks on the lowly. 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:18.539 He saves the lowly. 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:20.000 He exalts the lowly. 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:22.039 He makes his home with the lowly. 00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:26.680 We've got to stop pretending that we have got anything to give to God. 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:32.339 It's funny how in the detail of Mary meeting Elizabeth. 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:35.619 Just in a few moments before her song. 00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:39.619 A young girl goes to visit an older relative. 00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:41.500 In Judah. 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:46.899 And the etiquette of that meeting has been switched around. 00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:48.379 I don't know if you've noticed this. 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:54.839 Normally you'd have expected Mary to pay homage to her older relative Elizabeth. 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:55.779 Wouldn't you? 00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:59.879 Mary would be thanking her for the privilege. 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:03.180 But you see how it's been turned on its head here. 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:05.639 It's not Mary who pays homage. 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:07.460 But verse 43. 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.779 Elizabeth says. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.799 Why is this granted to me? 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:14.259 That the mother of my Lord should come to me. 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:19.139 Who am I that you Mary should be here? 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:23.180 That I should be allowed to be in your presence Mary? 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:27.320 It turns everything upside down doesn't it? 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:27.980 Do you see? 00:25:28.100 --> 00:25:29.480 As the Saviour comes down. 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:32.600 The girl is raised up. 00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:35.500 God humbles himself. 00:25:36.600 --> 00:25:38.279 And the girl is honoured. 00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:42.799 And this salvation comes as God subverts. 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:46.039 He turns the world's values upside down. 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:48.119 And the greater serves the lesser. 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:51.579 The lowly are exalted. 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:55.419 And this little girl. 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:59.779 Has now become the most iconic woman ever to have lived. 00:26:01.179 --> 00:26:03.199 We're talking about her today aren't we? 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:04.460 2,000 years on. 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:07.819 And this is the grace of God. 00:26:08.179 --> 00:26:09.240 The staggering grace. 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:11.379 That God doesn't merely save us. 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.779 From our sin. 00:26:12.899 --> 00:26:14.279 But he exalts us. 00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:16.240 He raises his people up. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:22.519 And even though our salvation and our forgiveness is entirely from him. 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:28.559 This gift of a child is nothing to do with Mary in a sense. 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:29.099 Has it? 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:32.359 And yet he honours her. 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:37.420 He honours us for the gifts he himself has given to us. 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:41.559 The things that the Lord has given to us. 00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:43.220 He counts as our own. 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:44.920 And rewards us for them. 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.960 He honours us. 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:48.120 For his own gifts. 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:49.620 It's crazy isn't it? 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:51.339 It's almost nonsensical. 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.940 It is ridiculous kindness. 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:58.400 But this is his world order. 00:26:58.519 --> 00:27:00.380 Where the lowly are raised up. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:02.319 And the proud are brought low. 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:06.460 Because he himself has bent himself. 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.440 Later in Luke's Gospel. 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:13.460 Jesus says to his disciples in Luke 22. 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.460 I am among you. 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.340 I am among you. 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:17.799 As the one who serves. 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:20.680 I am among you as the one who serves. 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:23.980 The king's people are lifted up. 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:28.200 Because the king himself comes down to serve. 00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:31.220 And to make himself nothing. 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.460 And to become a slave. 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:36.059 And to die a slave's death. 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:38.480 On a cross for his people. 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:46.039 It's great how Mary realises that all of this is not actually about her. 00:27:46.679 --> 00:27:47.220 Is it? 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:52.620 It's great the way Mary puts her own experience in context. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:55.720 If you look at the last couple of verses of her song. 00:27:55.720 --> 00:28:00.039 She puts it in context of God's people. 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:00.799 Doesn't she? 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:05.200 Of God helping his servant Israel. 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:08.279 Of remembering his promises to Abraham. 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.940 It's as if she's saying. 00:28:11.100 --> 00:28:12.000 Do you know in all of this. 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:13.480 I'm in a way. 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.799 I'm no special case. 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.220 She's saying. 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.460 All of this is amazing. 00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:19.380 But really. 00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:21.140 We should have expected this. 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:24.740 God has done this before. 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:28.160 And God is doing it now. 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.600 And God will do it. 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:34.000 This is what God does. 00:28:34.540 --> 00:28:35.980 This is our God. 00:28:36.060 --> 00:28:37.020 The God of Abraham. 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:41.340 There is a sense where the virgin birth. 00:28:42.020 --> 00:28:44.620 Is another day at the office for God. 00:28:45.100 --> 00:28:49.620 The most supernatural miracle that we've ever seen. 00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:52.199 Is God at his most natural. 00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:55.239 This is what God does. 00:28:55.739 --> 00:28:57.759 This is our generous God. 00:28:58.439 --> 00:29:00.259 This is the God of grace. 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:02.919 The God of the lowly. 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:05.859 The servant God. 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:09.419 And so if you have got nothing. 00:29:09.939 --> 00:29:11.179 With God this morning. 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:14.339 If you know that you have got empty hands with him. 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:17.559 You have got every reason to rejoice. 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:23.240 You have got every reason to sing with a loud heart. 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:28.879 Do you know joy is not the feeling you get with a stand up comedian is it. 00:29:29.679 --> 00:29:33.000 Michael McIntyre will not give you joy this Christmas. 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:35.779 You can be laughing your head off can't you. 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.879 And you can be empty. 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.159 Inside. 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.740 You can be empty of joy. 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:43.519 You could own everything you want in this world. 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:46.519 And you could be totally joyless. 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:52.680 And you might still be holding on to your balloon this morning. 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:56.259 Because you are secretly thinking to yourself. 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:59.220 Do you know what God I will pay you. 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.160 I will do this. 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:03.900 I will make this right. 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.200 I'll do it. 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:09.319 But this is why Mary sings loudest. 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.880 The Magnificat. 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.880 It's called isn't it. 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.980 That is from the Latin. 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:14.400 To magnify. 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:18.059 It is about what God has done. 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:21.160 Not what Mary can do. 00:30:21.380 --> 00:30:22.640 Or what I can do. 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:26.279 This is paradoxical Christian joy. 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:28.860 It is joy in our emptiness. 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:31.259 And our lowliness. 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:32.419 Before God. 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:35.299 It is joy in knowing that we've got nothing. 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:38.839 It is joy in empty hands. 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:43.299 Because this is our God. 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:46.579 So let go of the balloon. 00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:49.719 Magnify and rejoice in him. 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:53.339 Because the lowly sing the loudest. 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:56.259 Let's pray together.