Faith That Grows in Waiting and Praise
Scripture: Luke 1:39-55 (Fourth Sunday of Advent)
Today, we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent, bringing us closer to the joy of Christmas. During
this season, we have journeyed in faith—seeking light amid darkness and readying our hearts for the
Lord’s arrival despite life’s uncertainties. Advent is not passive waiting; it is an active embracing of
God’s promises, held deeply in our hearts.
As we draw near to Christmas, I invite you to reflect on the story of Mary and how her response to
God’s promise can guide us in our own times of anticipation, fear, and faith. In Luke chapter 1, we find
not only Mary’s courageous decision but also her profound song of praise. Both reveal a heart fully
dedicated to God, even in moments of risk and uncertainty.
In the ancient world, marriage customs were quite different from ours. Mary was likely a teenager
when she conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit. In ancient Jewish society, it was common for
women to become engaged between 12 and 14 and marry by 16. While her exact age is unknown, her
acceptance of God’s call at such a young age, despite the risks, was a profound act of faith. Accepting
God’s call at that stage of life, especially when it could lead to misunderstanding, criticism, and even
put her safety at risk, was a remarkable act of faith.
When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would bear the Son of God, her response was brief yet
profound.
“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
This becomes even more meaningful when we think about the challenges Mary faced in her society. In
her culture, becoming pregnant before marriage could result in harsh outcomes. Women in such
situations were often met with public disgrace, rejection from their communities, and even the threat of
death by stoning, as prescribed in the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 22:20-21). Their families, too, would
face shame and rejection from society, making her choice even more challenging.
Yet, despite these risks, Mary entrusted herself to God’s will. She let go of her fears, placing her trust
in God’s plan and showing obedience by embracing 디the uncertainty of her situation with courage.
This remarkable faith, despite the risks, reveals the profound courage and devotion within Mary’s
heart.
We all face moments when a simple “yes” or “no” is not enough. Sometimes we need a faith-filled
“yes” that comes with real risks attached—moments where the future feels uncertain, and the stakes
are high. Like Mary, we may wrestle with fear. However, Mary’s willingness to trust God beyond her
fear invites us to do the same. It is in precisely those moments that God’s plan unfolds in ways beyond
our imagination.
After Mary visited her relative Elizabeth, who was also expecting a child through God’s miracle,
Elizabeth’s greeting sparked a powerful response in Mary—a song of praise we often call the
Magnificat. This hymn flows directly from the depth of Mary’s spirit:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” (Luke 1:46-47)
In this hymn, Mary extols God’s faithfulness and justice, celebrating the Lord who lifts up the lowly and
brings down the mighty. It is a grand reversal of worldly values, showing us a kingdom where humility
is honored and pride is humbled. Mary’s song invites us to reflect on the character of God: one who
sees and cares for the humble and neglected, and who brings down the proud from their high
positions.
We can learn so much from Mary’s praise. Praise deepens our connection with God. When we sing or
speak our gratitude, we become more aware of God’s constant presence in our everyday lives. It is
not that God needs our praise to be God; instead, when we praise God, His grace works through us,
helping us grow and follow His plans. In turn, we become more open to the ways God can work
through us to bless others.
It is easy to read Mary’s story and assume it was straightforward, but the reality is that her decision to
say “yes” carried real-life consequences. She faced not only social and cultural risks but also personal
uncertainty about her future. Yet Mary trusted God’s providence and believed that her “yes” would
lead to something greater than she could imagine.
Likewise, we face important decisions in our lives: “Am I supposed to take this risk?” “What if I fail?”
“What will people think?” Such questions can keep us stuck in hesitation. However, if our choice aligns
with God’s will—if it is something that honors God and benefits our neighbor—then perhaps we are
being called, like Mary, to trust God for the outcome.
Trusting God does not guarantee a life without challenges. However, through faith, we recognize that
even life’s hardships can be used by God for greater purposes. Seeing challenges through God’s
control frees us from regret and gives us hope to move forward.
Advent is a season that challenges us to remember God’s promises and respond with obedience. We
might think of waiting as passive, but in fact, biblical waiting is anything but idle. Mary’s example
shows us that genuine expectation goes hand in hand with readiness to serve. She actively traveled to
Elizabeth, offered support, received confirmation, and burst into praise. Waiting on God means staying
attentive to His voice and ready to act in love—whether through offering encouragement to someone
in need, reaching out to the lonely, or showing kindness in unexpected ways. These small actions can
make God’s love tangible in daily life.
This active waiting calls us to look around for neighbors in need. It can mean a kind note for someone
discouraged or a listening ear for someone who feels alone. These seemingly small gestures can
become powerful testimonies of faith, preparing the way for the Lord’s presence in our communities. It
is in these tangible acts of kindness that the miracle of Christmas takes root in our daily lives.
God shapes us through our waiting, using the time to mature our faith and deepen our compassion. If
we are willing to respond with openness, trusting that God’s timing is perfect, we will find that our
hearts grow bigger, and our deeds reflect the love we have first received from Christ.
As we conclude this Advent journey, let us remember Mary’s extraordinary “yes” to God—a “yes” that
involved real risk and yet led to the salvation of the world. Her example teaches us that when we yield
our fears to God and stand resolute in faith, God can do marvelous things through our ordinary lives.
Faith is more than a feeling; it is a trust that matures in waiting and expresses itself in praise. Mary’s
Magnificat shows us that genuine faith inevitably results in gratitude, reverence, and an unshakable
conviction that God values the lowly and cares for marginalized.
What about us? As we stand on the threshold of Christmas, how will we say “yes” to God’s call in our
lives? Perhaps it is stepping out to help a neighbor, supporting a ministry in the church, or standing
firm in a decision that honors God and blesses those around us. Let us do so without regret, letting
God transform our small acts of obedience into streams of blessing for others.
May we embrace this season of Advent not by simply counting down the days, but by actively
participating in God’s unfolding plan—seeking opportunities to love, serve, and offer praise. When we
rest our lives on God’s promises, our faith opens the way for the Holy Spirit to work within us, and our
praises become a living testimony that Christ has indeed come near.
Amen.