Dear Family and Friends,

Have you finished your shopping and preparations for the big day?

Or have you been swept up in the Christmas rush with only two weeks to go?

If this is you, let’s slow down a bit and remember the reason why we do this to ourselves. Today we will look at another passage within the Christmas story – the words of Mary when she, pregnant with Jesus, went to visit her relative Elizabeth, who was also expectant – with John the Baptist.

The Song of Mary found in Luke 1 is also called the Magnificat, after the first word in the Latin translation:  Magnificat anima mea Dominum (My soul magnifies the Lord).

Have you ever had reason to be upset with God? 

Mary did. But despite the stigma associated with her pregnancy, Mary’s first words were – My soul magnifies the Lord – I will declare the Lord great!

I have to admit, there were times when I got upset with God. And there were an equal number of times when the first words out of my mouth were NOT – my soul magnifies the Lord. 

Can you relate? If we’re being honest, we all have had moments when we could have done better.

Let’s see what else Mary said.

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;” (verses 46-48 ESV)

After praising the Lord, Mary rejoices that she, a humble servant and sinner in need of a Savior, was chosen for such an honor.

Perhaps we can begin all our prayers in the same way – by elevating God and humbling ourselves. By rejoicing in whatever situation we find ourselves in. By trusting God’s purpose and plan. 

“for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.”  (verses 49-50 ESV)

We know how hard it can be to rejoice when facing turmoil. But notice what Mary does – she first recounts what God has done. And by doing so, she was able to declare His greatness, goodness, holiness, and mercy. 

Whether we are currently facing turmoil or not, perhaps this is a good time to look back as well, and declare God’s greatness, goodness, holiness and mercy in our own lives…

“He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”  (verses 51-53 ESV)

Mary proclaims what God will do through His Son and hers!

Jesus will right the wrongs of this world. He will scatter the prideful and lift the humble. Lower the powerful and raise the lowly. Empty the rich and fill the poor. 

If you normally rush through this passage, don’t worry, I used to speed read this too. That is until I noticed the grammar seemed a bit odd.

Mary uses verbs that are past tense – has shown, has scattered, has brought down, exalted, has filled, has sent away. And she does so when speaking of her unborn Son.

Mary knows that her child is not a new God. No, her son is God who existed before creation. He is the One who loved and protected her people for generations. And He will continue to do so for generations to come.

After looking back at what God has done in our lives, perhaps this is a good time to stop relying on our own strengths and really place our faith and trust in Jesus…

“He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”  ‭‭(verses 54-55 ESV)

Mary praises God for keeping the covenant made with Israel.

Praise Jesus for the keeping the covenant He made with us. 

Let’s conclude by remembering when and where this Magnificat was first spoken.

Two humble, righteous, and very pregnant women greeted each other in a simple house in the hill country of Israel.

They were not the persons the world would have chosen to first declare the coming of the Messiah, but they were.

God chose them to carry out a plan that would change the world forever.

Perhaps God is asking us to carry out a similar plan. One that would change the world of a friend or family member forever. 

In love always,