Week of December 1, 2024
Glory of Christmas - Mary
This week’s Scripture readings will follow Mary, the mother of Jesus, through the Gospel story as God carried her through highs and lows to fulfill his plan. While God’s plans for us may not seem as amazing or difficult as Mary's, we can reflect on the joys and sorrows of living out God’s purposes for our lives and how we can carry on with trust in God’s goodness.
Monday | Luke 1:26-38
What was Mary’s initial emotional reaction to the greeting of the angel? How do you think she felt when she then actually heard the message? How would the angel’s announcement have been exhilarating, perplexing, and terrifying all the same time? When you’ve sensed God revealing part of his plan for you (work, marriage, volunteer service related, etc.), how have you reacted emotionally? What has led you to push back and respond “Not me!” What has led you to say to Mary, “I am the Lord’s servant”?
Tuesday | Luke 1:46-55
By the time Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, the message of the angel would have sunk in and her pregnancy become evident. What was now her response of mind and heart to what lay ahead? For what did she praise God? What did she expect to happen through her son? What is your response to the idea that however humbly, you are living out God’s glorious plan for you?
Wednesday | Luke 2:27-35
After Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph took him to the Temple to be consecrated to God. There they were met by an old man named Simeon who prophesied about the infant Jesus. What had the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon regarding the person and work of Jesus? What was the response of his parents? As well as a glorious future, Simeon also prophesied trouble and heartache. How do you think Mary would have heard those words? How has following Jesus “pierced your heart” on occasion?
Thursday | Luke 2:41-50
We’d love to have heard much more about Jesus’ childhood than even the Gospel of Luke provides. Why do think this story of his hanging out in the Temple was important to Luke’s Gospel account? What would have been Mary’s reaction to Jesus’ absence and then his being found? Given what she had already experienced, should she have been surprised and confused? What have been seasons in your life in which God’s plan surprised or confused you? Did God provide more clarity as time went on and if so, how?
Friday | John 19:25-27
The last mention of Mary, Jesus’ mother, is at the cross as she witnesses the horrible death of her son. What prophecy from Simeon was being fulfilled in Mary’s life? How would you respond when God’s plan involves suffering and seeming total defeat? How did Jesus show his love for Mary? How might his love have carried Mary through this dark valley? While there is no mention of Mary seeing the resurrected Jesus in the New Testament, why do many Christians throughout history believe that Jesus appeared to her?
