“Magnify the Lord”

Teaching Text

Luke 1:46-56

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Sermon Synopsis

Mary’s Magnificat is the first song of Christmas — and it erupts from the realization that God has seen her, chosen her, and stepped into her story. In her song, Mary reveals three truths about God:

1. The God Who Sees
God looks upon the lowly, the ordinary, the overlooked — and invites them into His redemptive work. Mary’s “yes” shows that availability matters more than status.

2. The God Who Redeems
The Magnificat is a revolutionary announcement: God lifts the humble, brings down the proud, fills the hungry, and empties the self-sufficient. Jesus’ coming turns the world’s value system upside down and begins the restoration of all things.

3. The God Who Saves
God does not lower His standards to save us — He lowers Himself. In Jesus, God enters our lowliness, takes on our weakness, and offers salvation through His humility.

Key Takeaway:
Advent invites us to magnify the God who sees us, redeems what is broken, and saves us by becoming low. Like Mary, when we surrender our small “yes,” we are swept into God’s greater story.

Sharing Prompts

  1. Mary is an ordinary, overlooked girl — but God sees her. Where in your life do you feel unseen, overlooked, or insignificant right now?

  2. Mary’s response (“Let it be to me according to your word”) is simple obedience. What might a fresh “yes” to God look like in this season?

  3. The Magnificat holds together worship + justice. Which one comes more naturally to you — worship or justice? Why? What would it look like to hold both together?

  4. Tim Keller said, “The essence of gospel humility is not thinking more of myself or less of myself, but thinking of myself less.” How might God be inviting you to practice humility this Advent season?

Practice: Listening

The practice of listening invites us to slow down and pay attention—to God’s voice, to our own hearts, and to the stories of others. In a world full of noise, distraction, and pain, listening becomes an act of love. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to notice and care for the poor, positioning ourselves alongside them for their flourishing. This week, as we remember the poor during Advent, we intentionally listen to those who are often overlooked.

Practice for the Week

Choose one or more ways to practice intentional listening and presence:

1. Walk With the Poor

Spend time with someone who is struggling—unhoused, lonely, overlooked—and give them your full, undivided presence. Listen without fixing. Honor their dignity.

2. Join Garden Street Ministry (Dec 20)

GSM gathers monthly in MacArthur Park to worship, share a meal, and build relationships with our unhoused neighbors. On December 20th, sit with someone experiencing homelessness, hear their story, and remind them that they are seen and valued. GSM is also collecting new blankets for their winter blanket drive—an extremely practical and needed act of care.

3. Angel Tree — Urban Immersion

Partner with Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program by providing a Christmas gift to a child with an incarcerated parent.
As you do, reflect on how listening and presence can restore hope and dignity to a family in pain.