Read Luke 1:26-56
Joy is the response seen in Mary, Elizabeth, and yet-to-be-born baby John. Rejoicing is the response that flows from God’s people at the coming of His salvation: Jesus. In the season of Lent, we follow Christ’s journey that walks towards the cross and His death. The joy of these announcements and births normally seem to be a distant past as we prepare to grieve Christ’s death and grieve our sins which offend God, which necessitated the cross, and crucified our Lord.
But the cross is the mighty act of salvation, paying the death penalty of our sin, delivering us from captivity to our sin, and covering over our sin with Christ’s righteousness. This is the only act that could bring us salvation. While we may not rejoice at Christ’s death, we are a people who rejoice in His death, for it is salvation.
Prayer: “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.” Amen.