By 
It’s the first week in December and I am in a state of catalogue overload. Each day’s mail brings another batch. Top that with those pesky online ads targeted specifically to “my” druthers. I’m calling a halt. Catalogues are being recycled unopened, computer shopping targeted. Enough, I say. My soul needs to glorify the Lord; I need to find joy in the birth of my Savior. I turn to The Magnificat—Mary’s Song.
It had been a crazy week for Mary. It all began with a visit from the angel Gabriel announcing God’s favor: “You will give birth…to the Son of the Most High” (1:26-32, NIV). Like all little Jewish girls Mary had dreamed of the possibility, but how could this be? She was a virgin (1:34). Of course, with God all things are possible: “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said” (1:38).
Where could she go? Who could she talk to? Who would believe that she had not been promiscuous, that the baby she carried was the Messiah? Why, her relative Elizabeth, previously barren but now miraculously pregnant—surely she would understand.
So Mary set off for Elizabeth’s home in the hill country of Judea, some 50 to 70 miles from Nazareth, with joy in her heart and a bounce in her step. With three or four days to think, you can imagine what went through her mind. And then, before she could even get the words out of her mouth to tell what had happened, to have Elizabeth confirm the miracle within! (1:42-45). No wonder she burst into song.
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.”
—Luke 1:48-49, NIV
Ah yes, she got it right. This young teenage girl from a remote village in Galilee, betrothed to a poor carpenter, had truly been “highly favored” (1:28) by the Lord. God knew the depths of Mary’s heart and chose her to mother His Son. Joy and praise exploded from the recesses of her soul. Me too. I glorify He who loved me. God my Savior—holy is your name!
I read on, my heart a little lighter:
“His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.”
— Luke 1:50-53, NIV
Are these really the words of a young teen girl? The commentaries tell us that Mary’s praise is loaded with Scripture. I am impressed as I do some research:
It is in the style of Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10).
1:50…from everlasting to everlasting the LORD‘s love is with those who fear him (Psalm 103:17)
1:51…he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him (Psalm 98:1)
1:52…Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. (Psalm 138:6)
1:53…for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things (Psalm 107:9)
Mercy and love and strength and kindness and faithfulness and unbounded benevolence ooze from the pores of God, our Savior. Even as God knew Mary’s heart, Mary had mined the integrity of her God. All her life she had been taught of His goodness. But now, this was different; now, in her womb she carried the Savior of those who fear him.
The Lord, the Mighty One—holy is his name—has remembered His promise to Abraham: “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3, NIV):
“He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers.”
—Luke 1:54-55, NIV
Fast forward nine months. What a night it was! First, the stable became a delivery room. Then those shepherds came to see her boy, telling of the glory of the angels in the sky. And now, the brightest of stars remained over the stable. Mary cradled Jesus in her arms, reluctant to put down God’s wee One, her heart full to the brim. What did it all mean?
Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
—Luke 2:16-19, NIV
And for the next 33 years there would be much more for Mary to ponder: Simeon and Anna’s words as they recognized the Christ child at His consecration (Luke 2:25-38); a 12-year-old left behind, hobnobbing with the teachers in the temple (Luke 2:41-50); water turned to wine (John 2:1-11); hatred, a cross, a glorious resurrection.
In the hustle and bustle of December I am glad for Mary’s timely prompting to sit a spell and ponder God my Savior, for He has been mindful of my humble state. I was helpless, lost, separated from His love, doomed to perdition—absent His eternal mercy.
The Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name!
Nancy Paul
Nancy Paul is Canadian born and bred but happily settled in Texas. She is married, mother of two, and grandmother of three busy boys. A long time Womenary student, she loves to read, is a lover of God's word and a wannabe writer. Nancy is a regular contributor to encouraging.com, a collection of blog articles regularly published by the women of Green Acres Baptist Church of Tyler. As well, she is the women's Bible study coordinator at GABC. 
