Mary (3)

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Christmas is coming quickly and I am still caught up in Mary's reaction to the news that she was going to give birth to the Messiah.  Last week I said that the text (Luke 1:39-45) didn't tell us why Mary went to visit Elizabeth.  While technically that is true... I was reading too small of a passage.  Earlier in Luke 1:36, Gabriel tells Mary, "Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month." So, I think it is pretty safe to say that Mary went to visit Elizabeth because of Gabriel's news - her cousin who was unable to conceive is now well on her way to having a baby!  And it is during this visit with Elizabeth that Mary proclaims the words that are now known to us as the Magnificat or Mary's Song, Luke 1:46-55.


 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

Mary's Song speaks to us of God's power and mercy.  It is beautiful and I am used to hearing it sung that way in church.  Recently it was my own teen daughter, Abigail, singing it during our church's Advent Pageant to the music of a harp. It was wonderful!  But it is when I consider Mary's words in the context of her life - under Roman occupation and poor - that this passage takes on greater meaning.  What desperation the Israelites must have felt!  What a vulnerable state she was in! Wondering, waiting for God to act must have been so difficult.  And now Mary knows He has taken action.  He is coming to deliver the world... in and through her.  She rejoices and worships and prophesizes in her song and we are all caught up in the reality of it.

This week, may you know God's power in your life
"for the Mighty One has done great things for (you) - holy is His name".

Wishing you a joyful celebration of our Saviour's birth!
Tracy

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