Monday 23rd December
Read Luke 1:46-49
“And Mary said:
‘My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
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.” (NIVUK)
This song is justly famous as it captures Mary’s reflections on giving birth to Jesus. Known as the ‘Magnificat’ from the first word of the song in Latin it presents a series of radical reversals revealed with the arrival of the Messiah.
The first of these radical surprises is captured at the very beginning. Mary’s response to her condition is precisely the opposite of what one would expect. An unmarried woman pregnant in a patriarchal conservative society is likely to be ostracised at best, stoned at worst. Yet Mary’s first thoughts are of rejoicing and blessing (v47, 48c). She knows how lowly she is (v48b). She knows that in one sense she is disposable. Yet God has chosen her to bring salvation into the world and she knows how significant that event is.
Paul expresses a similar sentiment to Mary when he states that ‘…our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.’ (2 Corinthians 4:17) (NIVUK). Saints have always viewed suffering as a privilege. It is the first of many radical reversals effected by the Spirit in the believer’s life. ‘Great things’ indeed.
