Mary: A Song of Trust
For Meditation
Of all the wonderful Christmas songs, the virgin Mary may have written the first and the best of all.
In the passage that we're looking at this week, Mary travels to visit her relative Elizabeth. During the visit, she breaks out into what is now frequently called the Magnificat (“Magnificat” is the first word of the song in Latin, which just means “Magnify”). The song Mary sings is a song of praise to God in response to what He has done in her life and is doing for His people. She sings of transformation and revolution; the transformation in her own personal life because of God’s announcement to her, but also the revolution that God will bring in the world through Jesus the King.
Through her song we learn how the message of Christmas can bring transformation to our own lives and bring hope into a seemingly hopeless world. “The Mighty One does great things for us!” (1:49).
Scripture Reading | Luke 1:46–56
46 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.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.