As part of our Christmas reflections, we often read a passage which we call the Magnificat, or Mary’s Song, in Luke 1:46-55. The Bible doesn’t say that Mary sang these words, but they would certainly make a good song because they remind us of many things that we need to remember.
Mary starts with these words, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior”…
I remember visiting my grandparents and sometimes playing with the magnifying glass that they kept on the coffee table (until Mama or Daddy told me not to). Whatever was under the magnifying glass was suddenly transformed into something much larger. Now, we can simply use our fingers on our cell phones to zoom in, enlarging the part that we want to focus on. Mary was doing this in her heart, zooming in on the Lord, focusing on Him. She was magnifying His role in her life and making it clearer and bigger. Mary’s statement is more meaningful when you think about all the things that she could have magnified.
She could have magnified herself. What an honor it was to be the mother of God’s promised Messiah! Certainly the visit from Gabriel himself was something to set her apart! Instead, we see that she refers to herself as a servant.
Mary could have magnified her circumstances. As a young unmarried girl who had just been told she would bear a son, she certainly had some big challenges which were threatening every part of her life. The circumstances were certainly beyond her control, but we don’t see them mentioned in Mary’s song.
Mary could have magnified her fears. She knew she would be facing rejection and ridicule as an unwed mother. She was unsure of how Joseph, the man she was pledged to marry, might react. We know from Matthew 1:19 that one of his options was “public disgrace.” In addition, Mary likely had some fear of the physical aspects of her pregnancy. She may have been overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising a child who was God’s own son. There had to be a million “What ifs” going through her mind, yet we don’t see her voicing her fears.
Mary’s words reflect a resolute focus on God. The focus was from deep within—her very soul and her spirit were magnifying and rejoicing. We can see a clearer picture of God as we read her words and zoom in to the picture Mary had of God.
First, she calls God her Savior. He is not just Israel’s Savior, but her own personal Savior. She knew that she needed a Savior, just as we all do, to save us from sin and allow us to come to God. We can be forever grateful for the words of scripture which tell us, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
Mary establishes God’s personal knowledge of her and her circumstances, stating that God was “mindful” of her humble state. He knew everything about her background and the details of her life. He was also very aware of her future “from now on” (verse 48). These statements remind me of my favorite Psalm, Psalm 139, where David declares God’s intimate knowledge and care.
Mary goes on to talk about God’s work. She refers to God as “the Mighty One.” She states that God does great things. She declares that He is powerful and capable of changing things that seem impossible to change. She speaks of how God cares for those who seek him for their needs, satisfying the hungry with good things. She speaks of God as a faithful Helper.
Mary also reveals many attributes of God’s character. She states that God’s name is Holy, which refers to what is precious, sacred, perfect, pure, and uniquely wonderful. Her song refers to God’s mercy, His unchanging nature, His justice and His faithfulness to keep His promises.
Like my grandparents’ magnifying glass that enlarged and clarified whatever you held it over, Mary’s focus enlarged her picture of God and made it clear. Everything else could remain blurry or unclear, because that picture of God was sufficient.
Mary’s song is full of beautiful reminders for us to re-focus on our God. It is something we should read not just during the holiday season, but throughout the year. When we do, we will find ourselves rejoicing, too. “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.”
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