Thursday in Advent

46Verse 46. Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47Verse 47. and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48Verse 48. For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. 49Verse 49. For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name. 50Verse 50. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. 51Verse 51. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52Verse 52. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble. 53Verse 53. He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. 54Verse 54. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, 55Verse 55. as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

6Verse 6. “On that day,” declares the LORD, “I will gather the lame; I will assemble the outcast, even those whom I have afflicted. 7Verse 7. And I will make the lame into a remnant, the outcast into a strong nation. Then the LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever. 8Verse 8. And you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion — the former dominion will be restored to you; sovereignty will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.”

16Verse 16. For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17Verse 17. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18Verse 18. And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19Verse 19. We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Verse 20. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. 21Verse 21. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.