Day Thirteen - The Magnificat – Mary’s Burst of Praise

What a season, and what a person: Mary, the mother of Jesus. She is a wonderful example of God’s heart to raise up the lowly to high places with Him.

Some of you may remember when a taxi driver ended up being interviewed on live TV. In 2006, a man named Guy Goma was sitting in the reception area of the BBC studios waiting to collect his next passengers when a news producer came down asking for an expert in digital downloading—also named Guy. Next thing he knew, he was whisked away, mic’d up and sat in front of the cameras. Introduced as the expert by the news anchor, the taxi driver’s eyes widened and he did his best to style it out, talking about the internet and computers as best he could. Worth a watch if you get the chance!

Guy got lifted up to a new place by a rushed TV producer — a mistake. Mary, in the Christmas story, was lifted up to carry the Saviour — God’s intention.

Mary, a young woman with no social power in her society, from the marginalised town of Nazareth, is chosen by God. Her story emphasises God’s mercy and justice for those on the margins. She declares that the Lord “lifts up the lowly.” How many of us would be humble enough to describe ourselves as lowly? In the glorious light of Christ, surely all of us are. When we lay down pride in our hearts, we too become able to carry the Saviour of the world in our lives, just as Mary did.

On learning that she would carry the Saviour, Mary bursts into song — a truly revolutionary hymn, one that has even been banned in certain places at certain times (a story for another day!). The point here is that this news of carrying Jesus causes Mary to burst into praise!

Mary’s Song
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
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.
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.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and His descendants forever,
just as He promised our ancestors.”
(Luke 1:46-55)

I hope this is a blessing to you all, and I encourage you to take a moment to pause and reflect:
• Embrace humility in the glorious light of God.
• Consider the gift of carrying Jesus in your heart and life.
• Burst into your own song, and let it be a blessing to many others, just as Mary’s Magnificat has blessed generations.