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Reflections

November—A Month for Giving Thanks

Our month of Thanksgiving concludes this week with a study of Mary’s Song of Praise (Luke 1:46–53), sometimes called the Magnificat because it glorifies the name of the Lord. A study of this song provides our transition to the Advent season.

Mary’s Song of Praise

After the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear the Christ-child, Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. Luke records this song as being in response to Elizabeth’s greeting upon Mary’s arrival there.
Mary’s song begins with praise to God as she rejoices in His person:

"My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”
(Luke 1:46,47, NIV).

The Bible gives no clue as to why Mary was chosen for her special assignment. We only know that Mary had “found favor with God” (Luke 1:30, NIV).

Could it be that we are gaining insight into her heart through this song? Was it possible that before the angel visited her she had developed the habit of glorifying the Lord, rejoicing in Him? I think it is highly possible, and a good model for us. Paul admonishes us to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4, NIV), not just when God has done something specific for us.

Mary continues by recognizing the greatness of what the Lord has done for her, but she remains in a state of humility, claiming no greatness for herself. Instead she says: “…holy is his name” (Luke 1:49, NIV). Like Hannah, having experienced God’s mercy, she recognizes His holiness, a characteristic of God alone.

Her song goes on to recall His greatness as she remembers how God has delivered her nation from enemies and provided for the needs of her people. These acts are evidences of His mercy toward them.

Finally, she remembers He is a covenant-keeping God, that the covenant with Abraham is an eternal covenant. She seems to be relating what has happened to her as a part of that covenant. God is keeping His promise to Israel.

Mary stands unique in the history of the world as the one chosen to give physical birth to the Son of God. In her song, she recognizes that all generations will call her blessed as they recognize her special place in history.

However, Scripture does not set Mary above any other believer. The last time we see Mary in Scripture, she is with the disciples in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost. She needed the enduement of power of the Holy Spirit just as much as the other disciples did. So we consider her as we did others, a “humble servant” doing the will of God.

Though Mary alone bore the Christ-child physically, every follower of His experiences His birth in their hearts. The Christmas carols we soon will sing express it clearly:

“O holy child of Bethlehem, descend on us we pray,
Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.”

We sing the songs blithely without contemplating their meanings. If we truly believe Christ is born in us, what does that mean to us? Can we make Mary’s song our song this Thanksgiving and Christmas season?

We can do this as we habitually rejoice in Him, recognize His holiness, recall His greatness and remember that He is a covenant-keeping God.

Points to Ponder: What did it cost Mary to submit to the will of God and give birth to His Son? What has it cost you to be His follower? Are you rejoicing as Mary did in what God is doing in and through you?

PEGGY MUSGROVE is a licensed Assemblies of God minister. She is also a speaker, freelance writer, author and prayer group leader. Her latest book, Musings of a Maraschino Cherry was released in 2004.. You can visit her at www.musgroveville.com.

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