December 2
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things
for me—holy is His name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their
inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants
forever, just as He promised our ancestors.
Luke 1:46-55 (NIV)
Here we experience one of the greatest prayers in the entire canon of Scripture—Mary’s “Magnificat.” Whilst some writers are quick to posit Mary as the shining star and main character of this passage, this is a mistake. No doubt Mary is a special woman, called by God to mother His own Son, Christ Jesus. However, the main character of this prayer is far more likely to be God Himself. Except for the first two sentences, every sentence utilizes God as the subject. Mary’s prayer is powerful indeed, but the beauty is that Mary isn’t praying in response to her own needs or wants, like many of our prayers today. Rather, she is praying in response to the power and mercy of God as her creator, as king, and as ruler of the cosmos. Mary’s prayer serves primarily as a reflection of God’s characteristics—namely, His blessings (1:48), holiness (1:49), everlasting mercy (1:50), and power (1:51). Yet, a more subtle purpose unfolds in verses 52-53 as the prayer turns into a revolutionary proclamation—noting how God brings down powerful earthly rulers and the rich, all the while exalting poor and humble servants of heaven.
During this Advent season, I might encourage you to regularly pray through Mary’s “Magnificat.” This practice serves far greater a purpose than a mere Christmas devotion. As you join Mary in prayer, may you feel an invitation into God’s story and consider how God’s power and majesty may shift your own vision of the world at large.