The first “act” of advent is to adore the Lord. Our text this morning, one that can give us more than enough space to see why we need to begin Advent on the note of adoration, is Mary’s Magnificat from Luke 1:46-55:

Let us adore the Lord today because:

1. God has acted to “save” us in Jesus Christ.
2. God has acted to lift the humble in Jesus Christ.
3. God, the Holy One, does great things for the humble in Jesus Christ.
4. God is merciful to us in Jesus Christ.
5. God has acted to bring justice in Jesus Christ.
6. God has brought down the oppressors and lifted the oppressed in Jesus Christ.
7. God has given food to the poor and stripped the tables of the oppressors in Jesus Christ.
8. God has shown himself faithful to his promises in Jesus Christ.

Again, all of this happens in Jesus Christ — it is trite to say he is the “reason for the season.” The season exists because of Jesus.

46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me-holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.