Saturday, December 15, 2018
by Alexandra Hutson
Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with
favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the
Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from
generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts
of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled
the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in
remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his
descendants forever.”
Take a minute to imagine Mary and the situation in which she had found herself. This passage follows
Mary’s visit from the angel Gabriel, announcing the news that Mary would carry and give birth to Jesus,
Emmanuel, God Incarnate. Mary had received the most life-altering news that anyone could possibly
receive. After hearing this news, she visited her cousin Elizabeth who was also pregnant; it was after
being told “For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And
blessed is she who believed there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord,” (Luke
1:44-45). It is “Mary’s Song of Praise” or often referred to as the “Magnificat” that follows. Instead of
fearing the reaction that she would experience from others, or worrying about what might happen, she
praised God. This is such a powerful move and it speaks volumes. In her Song of Praise, she is echoing
the same song that Hannah sang over Samuel’s birth and she is affirming the promises made to Abraham
which will be fulfilled, which show the continuation of God’s work in the world and with her people. The
news of a savior was news that had long been awaited all the way back to the prophets. So despite how
terrifying the news that Mary, a teenager, a virgin would carry God’s only son, she chose to praise God
for all God had done and would continue to do so. Imagine if we, as people of God, chose to trust God in
situations when all of the odds feel stacked against us? Or when we cannot see the path set before us?
What kind of difference might it make if we, instead of doubting God or ourselves in these times, chose
to praise God? Today, I encourage you to think about what in your life is worth giving over to God. How
can you praise God in your life today?