Dream Come True – “Magnify the Good”

Christmas is a season filled with dreams: dreams of a white Christmas, dancing sugar plums, and the warm nostalgia we attach to the holiday. But dreams also play a major role in the biblical Christmas story. In Luke 1, Mary receives news that changes everything, and after traveling to visit her cousin Elizabeth, she suddenly breaks into a song we call the Magnificat. Her song reveals the dreams written into every human heart: the dream of being chosen and the dream of something better.

1. Dreams of Being Chosen (Luke 1:46-50)
   
   • Mary begins her song with joyful praise: “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” She recognizes the significance of God “taking notice” of her—a “lowly servant girl” who never expected to be chosen for anything remarkable. She then declares that all generations will call her blessed, not because she is better than others, but because she has been chosen by God with a purpose.
   • The message emphasizes that being blessed is not “better than” and chosen is not random luck; it is God’s intentional design.
   • We share Mary’s longing—to be known, seen, valued, and chosen. We often fear being found out as “less than,” but God knows our story fully and still chooses us.
   • Pastor Ben illustrated this with the “scratch and dent” furniture store: Jesus “shops” in the scratch-and-dent section—because that’s the only section that exists. He knows every flaw and missing piece, yet sees infinite value and has the power to transform.
   • Christmas tells us: God knows who you are. He is not unaware; He is not unconcerned; and He loves you. Mary’s song becomes a celebration of God choosing ordinary, imperfect people.
2. Dreams of Something Better (Luke 1:51-53)
   
   • Mary dreams of a world made right: God’s “mighty arm” scattering the proud, bringing down the powerful, lifting up the humble, filling the hungry, and sending the rich away empty.
   • These words don’t sound like a Christmas card—no lights, no jingle bells. This isn’t a Hallmark plot. It is a declaration that the world is broken and God intends to fix it. “Jesus came to fix a broken world, not decorate it.”
   • The message then asked: What do you do when deliverance is delayed? When deliverance is delayed, we may respond with anger, unbelief, or despair—but Mary’s song invites a different posture: faith that sees both the world’s brokenness and God’s ongoing work.
   • Faith produces endurance, and endurance produces hopefulness that God is still working—even when we cannot yet see it.

These passages may provide additional insights related to the subject of this week’s message. All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted.

Luke 1:39-45; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Psalm 34:1-3; Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 2:10-11; Luke 4:18-19; Matthew 24:42-44

Video of the Week: “Luke 1–2: The Birth of the Messiah”  by Bible Project

Song of the Week: “Is He Worthy/Agnus Dei/We Fall Down” by Maverick City Music

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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Why do you think so many people find hope in the Christmas story or season, even if they’re not sure what they believe?

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2. What do you think is “broken” in the world today? What would it take to change it?

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3. “Jesus came to fix a broken world, not decorate it.” Sometimes we avoid deep heart work, and settle for surface-level faith. Where do you tend to prefer ‘decoration’ over ‘transformation’ in your spiritual life?

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4. The theme of delayed deliverance runs throughout Scripture. What spiritual practices help you remain faithful in seasons of delay?

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5. This week’s passage emphasizes God’s “reversal” of human power structures–scattering the proud, lifting the humble, filling the hungry. What does it suggest about the nature of God’s kingdom? How does it challenge common cultural assumptions about strength and success?

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6. Mary chose to magnify God in a moment of uncertainty. What is one good thing God is doing in your life right now that you want to magnify this week?

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