Candle Lighting Ceremony Mary Visits Elizabeth
Introduction
Friends in Christ, as we come together, let’s light this candle to remember the light of God that came into the world through Jesus. This light symbolizes hope, love, and the guiding presence of God in our lives.
Candle Lighting
(While lighting the candle) In lighting this candle, we recall the words of Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” May this light remind us of the joy and guidance we find in Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Closing Prayer
Gracious God, thank You for this light, reminding us of Your presence in our lives. May we walk in Your light and share Your love with everyone we meet. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 1:26-56 (NIV) The Announcement of Jesus’ Birth
Title: Mary’s Faithful Response
Luke 1:26-38: In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 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, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Commentary on Luke 1:26-38
In these verses, we see Mary, a young woman, receiving a startling message from God. She is to be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah. Despite her initial fear and confusion, Mary’s response is a beautiful example of faith and obedience. She doesn’t understand all the details, but she trusts God’s plan. Her willingness to be used by God, despite her own uncertainties, is a powerful lesson for us in discipleship. It teaches us to be open to God’s calling, even when it seems impossible or beyond our understanding.
Scripture: Luke 1:26-56 Mary Visits Elizabeth (NIV) Mary’s Song of Praise
Title: The Joy of Faith
Luke 1:39-56: At that time Mary got up and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 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 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 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Closing Prayer with Commentary on Luke 1:39-56
Lord God, we thank You for the message of Luke 1:39-56, where we see the joyous meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. In their encounter, filled with the Holy Spirit, we learn the value of faith and the joy that comes from believing in Your promises. Mary’s song, a beautiful expression of praise, teaches us to remember Your faithfulness and mercy throughout generations.
Help us, O Lord, to have a heart like Mary’s, full of gratitude and recognition of Your mighty works. May we, like her, glorify You in our words and actions, acknowledging Your greatness in our lives. Teach us to be humble, to serve others in love, and to trust in Your promises, just as Mary did. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Get Notified First About Our Latest Short Powerful Sermons:
