But I had them on one thing. Just before I was born our church built a new sanctuary. All of my siblings were baptized as infants. They were baptized the old part of the church that is now the multi-purpose area. I was baptized in the new sanctuary. And let me tell you, I wore that badge around proudly. I was the first. I was the first to be baptized in the new church. I felt proud. I felt like I had something on my siblings that they couldn’t ever touch. I was finally the first at something.

I have come to realize that “being first” can make a person proud. “Being first” can be important. “Being first” was something that I wanted to be because I was always last. There were always four other kids that got what I needed first. I was never first – I was always last. Being first can be a good feeling.

Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus had older members of her family. Elizabeth was one of such family members. She probably was her cousin rather than her sister but they were close to each other and family none-the-less. Her cousin Elizabeth was “first” getting pregnant. That was something to be proud of. I’m sure Elizabeth was proud. But Mary was first in another way. She was also the “only” in that way as well. Mary would become pregnant as well – but not in the same way. She would be pregnant with the Son of God and Mary would be called Blessed.

Mary was very proud of what God had given her – a child – a responsibility – a burden to be the mother of God Himself. And Mary would sing this song of praise that’s in our Gospel reading for today called The Magnificat. This word comes from the Greek word “magalenei” which means “magnifies”. Mary says, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” And as her soul would magnify the Lord we can see how proud she was to be the first. She was the first to know the news as it came from the angel. She was the first to be confident that what was in her womb was the Lord Himself – the Lord made flesh. Beloved in the Lord, Mary was the first Christian as she is struck with the desire to sing a hymn of prayer because she believes these things that will happen to her – despite the lowliness of her condition.

So, maybe this is why we catch Mary saying, “For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed because the Mighty One has done great things to me, and holy is his name…” When I finally found out that I was the first at something and my siblings were not, I spouted off, “ha, I was the first one… you were not… what do you think of that??” Is that what Mary was doing here in our text by saying, “From now on all generations will call me blessed…”?

That’s what I find myself doing – not only as a kid – but today as well. I cherish the limelight. I want people to draw their attention to me. I like that and that feeds my need for being needed. It gives people like me a sense of purpose. I’m making a difference. We might think that it’s hard to make a difference if we are just doing the same thing as everyone else. We want to be unique. We want our efforts to stand out from the rest. We want people to turn to us and call us blessed because we thought of it first, we did it the best, or we were the ones who made the biggest difference.

But that’s wasn’t Mary. That may be us… but that wasn’t Mary in this magnificent Magnificat. Here’s why. We have to take into consideration what Mary said prior to this in her hymn of praise. She was all about giving attention and credit to where credit was due. Martin Luther comments on Mary’s song by telling us that the Magnificat is a hymn TO God and God alone for His gracious gifts to the least in this world, whom He has lifted up out of despair solely because of His grace and mercy. This wasn’t about Mary. She sings, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” All attention was given to God and nothing else. Only by and through God are these marvelous gifts attained and this is what our attention is drawn to by Mary.

Central to the message today is for us to keep on making the main thing, the main thing. Our focus remains on Christ and His everlasting work for us. And it’s important for us to know that Mary was not trying to turn our attention to herself because she was the mother of Jesus, but rather she wanted everyone to see Jesus more clearly through what she was chosen to do.

This world is not like that, however. The world we live in tries to turn our attention to the individual by making the person the main thing. Also, individuals try to turn our attention, make the most important part, themselves. You may have heard on the television how there were more than a handful of professional baseball players named in this so-called “Mitchell” report regarding steroid and Human Growth Hormone use among athletes. Some of these professional athletes have denied ever touching performance enhancing drugs while others are stepping up to the plate and saying, “You know, I have to admit that I used HGH. But I only used it for a short time and to recover from an injury. I did it for my team. I didn’t do it for myself.” How gullible do they think we are? Do they think we are actually going to believe that they were using a band substance for their team and not for themselves – so they could throw harder, run faster, hit the ball further – FOR THE TEAM?

I really believe they think we will believe it. The reason: we say such things as well. When we get caught doing something wrong, or our conscience is working overtime on us telling us we shouldn’t be doing what we are doing – we try to qualify it by saying, “it’s not for me. I have to lie, I have to make up stories, I have to keep on doing it for the sake of someone else.” When in all reality, we do it for our selfish selves.

The church is not immune to such things as well. We like to put on a big display for our members and visitors. What’s wrong with that? Nothing. Especially if everything that is done within these walls is for the sake of Jesus and the proclamation of His precious Gospel? But have we ever wanted to be just a little bit better than the rest – a little bigger – a little flashier? Have we wanted to impress more than the others so that when people come they can be inspired to tell everyone that Christ Lutheran does it just a little better than everyone else. I want that for this church. Selfishly I want to be better than the other churches for more than just the reasons of keeping the Gospel the focal point of this family. I like flash. I like a little pizzazz every once in a while. I want people to be impressed.

Who doesn’t? But Lord help us to do it with an eye on you. Our desire is that you be placed before our human desires and our fleshly needs. Help us to focus on your manger and your cross this very day and the next two wonderful days as we approach Bethlehem together. Help us to not care about being first or the best, or the flashiest – but rather for us to clearly speak your message of hope and to do that with purpose for such a dark world. Help us to draw people to this place not because of the great music, the impressive service, or even for great people, but because in this place, your Gospel is preached and the sacraments administered according to your institution.

I love being first. I want to be the best. Many of us like to impress in such ways. I pray for you and your family and friends this Christmas Season that you are impressed with Jesus. He was first, He is first, and He is the last. He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. May He remain central to our lives and our celebration this Advent and Christmas Season. May God richly bless you always. Amen

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.