Saturday, December 21, 2024

A Song of Hope and Joy - The Magnificat


"And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God, my Savior.'" (Luke 1:46-47).

Have you ever felt overwhelmed and yet honored by something God has call you to do? Maybe humbled? Perhaps even scared and nervous?

Consider Mary - a humble young woman selected by God to carry and give birth to (and then to parent!) the Savior of the world!

She could have been consumed by fear and doubt. Instead her response to the angel was, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled."

The angel also told her that her cousin Elizabeth was miraculously pregnant, too, and Mary hurried to visit her.

When she greeted Elizabeth she told Mary, "As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears the baby in my womb leaped for joy!"

Mary's response was a beautiful declaration of God's faithfulness and redemptive plan.

History records this response as "The Magnificat" (Latin for 'My soul magnifies the Lord'). It became a canticle, hymn, of the early church and is still sung or chanted today in many churches throughout the world.

Mary's song is a model for us. She rejoiced in God's mercy and power to fulfill all His promises. We can, too. When we face uncertainty or doubt or just feel small and incapable in following God's purpose for us, we can choose to magnify Him and focus on His glory instead of our own limitations!

Take a few minutes and read her song -- recorded in Luke1:46-55. 

You'll be so blessed!

Reflect on how you can magnify God in your life today -- pray for a heart that rejoices in his faithfulness, letting your life become a song for others to hear!

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