And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors” (Luke 1:46-55 CSB).
Christmas is the season where much assembling is required.
Mary assembled these words, inspired by the Holy Spirit and penned by Luke, as a song of praise from other ancient Scriptures. The Words God gifted His people to praise Him, she gave right back to Him.
Yesterday we considered a gift of worship, today let’s give God a gift of praise. We’ll do so by looking more closely at the pattern Mary set. She simply named the promised gifts of the Messiah’s coming.
Mary praised God for raising up the lowly—of which she was counted. She praised Him for His favor and mercy, His holiness and power, and for His enduring faithfulness. God was bringing about the fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants. She also attributed God with using Israel as an instrument to serve the world and bless the nations.
By retelling this story, as Mary did, it was a praise unto God. A gift which honored Him. And it lifts all those who read it.
We can assemble our own praise of the Lord’s salvation from gospel truths. We can borrow Mary’s words and add others for our own gift of praise, the soaring of our souls (v46) and the welling joy of our spirits (v47), all prayed to the melody of what the Lord has done (v49). Here’s my attempt:
Generation after generation, God has extended mercy (v50). The princes of darkness in this world have been cast down from their thrones (v52). The hungry feast upon the kingdom and are filled while the possessions clung to by the rich really amount to nothing at all (v53). The Son, sent from the Father’s love for the world, has brought salvation (John 3:16). And ushered in the kingdom. We lift high Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Exalt the Holy One, who has fulfilled all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). Blessed be the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, who chases after the one who is lost (John 10:14, Luke 15:4). Magnify the Lord, who preaches good news to the poor, who proclaimed release for the captives and recovered sight of the blind, who sets free the oppressed, and has proclaimed the year of God’s favor (Luke 4:18-29). Praise the Faithful One who sent the Advocate as promised, to be our Comforter and Guide (John 14:16). All praise to the Son of Man, the King exalted to the right hand of the Father (Mark 14:62).
Now it’s your turn to gift the Lord with your own psalm of praise.
We praise You, God, for Your favor. The Mighty One is holy and has done great things for us (Luke 1:49). May our spirits rejoice in God, our Savior (Luke 1:47). May our hearts exalt in the gifts of Your boundless grace and continually offer praise to Jesus, our Lord.
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