Mary’s Magnificat.
One of the most beautiful passages of the Bible and one which could preach for days.
Those words of Mary were spoken (sung) when she visited Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. Lil’ John leaped inside of Elizabeth at the presence of the pregnant Mary; and Elizabeth proclaimed, “God has blessed you…and He has blessed the child you carry!”
Mary’s response was poetry in the highest form. And a challenge to all Christians and churches today.
Mary said,
“With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
47In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
48 He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored
49 because the mighty one has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
50 He shows mercy to everyone,
from one generation to the next,
who honors him as God.
51 He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
52 He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty-handed.
54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy,
55 just as he promised to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”
Luke 1:46-55 (CEB)
The low will be lifted high.
Mercy from one generation to the next.
The arrogant and proud will be scattered.
The powerful pulled from their thrones.
The hungry fed, and the rich sent away empty handed.
The Lord has come.
In the next hours on Christmas Eve many followers of Christ will gather in worship. Will we gather to lift the low? Feed the hungry? Do we humbly gather or do we look about our fully adorned sanctuaries with pride?
Our pride, arrogance, desire for status and possessions often cloud our vision of the dawn breaking from heaven.
In this season may we let go of such dark things.
And be the light.
Red Chair Music 