Wednesday 12/14/2022

Luke 1:46-55

Mary’s Song

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.”

In Mary’s culture, women were second-class citizens. No male leader of her day (let alone an angel) would have greeted this woman of almost no status by calling her “favored one.” When Mary sang that God lifts up the lowly, she did so as a living example of that. No wonder she rejoiced in God’s inversion of human values: “He has pulled the powerful down… and lifted up the lowly.” God valued who she really was, no matter what her social status! Mary began her song with words of gratitude and praise: “With all my heart I glorify the Lord.” As we move through this season remembering the promises that were a part of the Christmas event, who or what in your life are you thankful for? Which of the promises of Christmas lead you to glorify the Lord with all your heart? Mary rejoiced that her child would fulfill God’s promise to bring justice to an unjust world. Her song was full of allusions to Old Testament promises that God would one day deliver Israel from oppressors. She believed that, in Jesus, God would care for the lowly, hungry and oppressed. In what ways are you “rich”? How willing are you to use your God-given ability to lift the burdens of those who are lowly in parts of life where you are strong?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, when Mary grasped that you would be her child, she celebrated with a song of gratitude. Help me to truly celebrate you this Advent season, to glorify you with all my heart. Amen.