Christmas Makes the Humble Holy

Luke 1:46-55

Right off the bat, in the accounts of Jesus we find that Christianity stands apart from the religions of the world. Religion is the practice of living in such a way as to find your way to God. The reward is for the wise, discerning, and disciplined person who has managed to live a good enough life to win the reward of god. In ancient Egypt the dead would be weighed on the scale to see if they were worthy. In ancient Greece the dead lived on through the glory of their accomplishments. Similarly in Norse mythology, where you went after death was largely a result of how well you lived and died. In Eastern religion you move closer and closer to oneness with the universe when you live a better life. But in all of these, there is no reward for the undeserving. Things only get worse.

But Christianity stands apart. It is good news for those who are least in society. It is why we find Jesus saying such statements as,

"So the last will be first, and the first last." (Matthew 20:16)

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)

Mary’s song shows us this.