And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior ... for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His Name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation. ... He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever." (Luke 1:46-47, 49-50, 54-55)

Listen to what Mary says in her song! She describes what God has done, and she does it in the past tense. She says that God has scattered the proud and brought down the mighty (not that He will scatter the proud and bring down the mighty). She says that He has filled the hungry and sent the rich away empty; He has helped Israel, remembering His promises of mercy to Abraham and all believers.

Why put all this in the past tense? We can look around us every day and see that these things have not all happened yet.

Mary can use the past tense because she is describing a world where God has set everything right—where evil is destroyed, and God's kingdom has come in full blessing. And she knows that all of this is so certain and sure that we might as well put it in the past tense—it is guaranteed to happen. Why? Because Jesus has come into the world. That tiny baby is God Himself, keeping His promises; and nothing will stop Him from saving us and all creation from the power of evil. For this He became a human being, and for this He will suffer, die, and rise again. It's guaranteed.

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for the assurance of Your love for us. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* How do you emphasize that something is sure to happen?

* What good things do you look forward to in God's kingdom?

* Why is Jesus our guarantee of everything good and necessary?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 77-78    Revelation 6

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