Mary traveled to visit her cousin Elizabeth and when she arrived, Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit, in Luke 1: 45 announced to Mary that she is blessed for believing and that the things Mary had been told would happen. Even the child that Elizabeth was carrying, who would become known as John the Baptist, leapt for joy in Elizabeth's womb.
The Magnificat
In response Mary sings a beautiful song of praise to God known as the Magnificat. Mary's song is as relevant to us as it was to her. In Luke 1: 46-48(a) she says:
" And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;"
Shouldn't we all be able to say with the Mary that our soul magnifies the Lord. That we praise Him and see in our very soul the glorious wonder and mighty power that is His. Can't we all agree with Mary that our spirit rejoices in our Savior. For where would we be without our Savior? We may not all be "lowly" but those who are not powerful in this world can relate very much to Mary's lack of status.
Blessed
Mary continues in verse 48 and says, "For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed." Indeed who in this world could be more blessed than the one chosen to bring Jesus into the world.
He Has Done Great Things
She continues in verses 49 and 50 to say that the mighty God had done great things for her. She talks about His holy name. She exclaims that His mercy will be on people who fear Him for all time. All of us can say with Mary that our mighty God has done great things for us. We may not always recognize them, but He has given us so many wonderful blessings beginning with His Son's redemption of us.
Fear God
God's name is holy, Mary says. Not to be used in passing, lightly or certainly never as a curse word. And thanks be to God for His mercy. Who does He have mercy on? Mary says those who "fear" Him. Those who have reverence and awe for Him. Those who know He is a God of justice.
Mighty Works Of God
Mary then goes on to list some of the mighty works of God. She says in verses 51-55:
"He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever."
God Exalts The Lowly
Mary reminds us that God did not use the mighty, the proud or the rich to save the world. No, God used the poor and the lowly. He used those who were humble. God is faithful to His promise to Israel, as Mary reminds us that, "He has helped His servant Israel" to bring forth a Messiah from the House of Judah and the line of David.
Mary Knew
After a three month stay with Elizabeth Mary returned to Nazareth, and in due time, gave birth to our Lord in a stable in Bethlehem. And based on scripture, it seems to many that Mary did know that her Son was the Messiah foretold of old.
Sing With Mary
I am thanking God this Christmas season for this humble servant of God who said "Yes" to our God and sang a song of thanksgiving and praise for the Child she carried. A song that we can all agree with. I, for one, will sing with Mary!
Enjoy The Magnificat - Mary's Song.
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