Luke 1:39-56 (ESV)
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Have you ever had a time when celebration suddenly began to spontaneously burst forth from you in song, in shouts of whoops and peals of laughter, in dancing, or perhaps a big smile suddenly filled your face and took its time departing?
Sometimes, those celebrations come when our favorite sports teams achieve a well-won victory. Sometimes, we erupt into celebration when something unexpected but joyous happens to us: a financial blessing, a homecoming, or a gift that goes beyond our expectations. And sometimes, celebration explodes from us when the Lord answers our prayers for healing, deliverance, provision, and reconciliation.
That’s what’s happening with Elizabeth and Mary, they are celebrating the awesome and wonderous work of God as He fulfills His promises to His people from long ago.
Both Elizabeth and Mary are suddenly overwhelmed at the recognition that God is at work in their present circumstances. Mary’s song begins, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Mary’s song begins with joyous praise that the Lord has looked upon her with favor despite her humble state.
Mary goes on to sing and shout regarding how God has scattered and broken the power of the mighty in their wickedness and lifted those who are lowly, filling the hungry with good things.
In her song Mary emphasizes the mercy of the Lord. It’s in verse 50 and 54. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation, and again in verse 54, He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.
Throughout her song, Mary shows her awareness of how things are, the lowliness of people, the weakness and hunger, and the need for mercy. These are part of the reality of life as it truly is.
But now, by faith, Mary has come to understand that God sees our reality, and He has done something about it. God has sent His Son into the world, given Him to us, to save us, and by faith, Mary in her present moment in time, sees the reality of God fulfilling His promises through her, in Jesus.
Mary recognizes that through her in the child she is carrying, the Lord’s compassion is being poured out on the needs of our hungry and thirsty world.
Is it any wonder that Mary, Elizabeth, and Elizabeth’s unborn son John burst forth in celebration at what God is doing in and through His Son Jesus?
We should do the same! We have just as much cause to celebrate as they did. God is still present with us, working and moving. Jesus is alive, has overcome death itself, and is present with us. The Holy Spirit resides within us, reminding us of all that Jesus has said and done and leading us as we seek to know, love, and follow Jesus every day.
Even during our culture’s challenging time of upheaval, or the fear mongering and vilification of politics, even in the face of a pandemic and natural disasters, even when nations engage in brutal conflict with one another, we have cause for overwhelming joy and celebration.
Our God has remembered. He reigns and continues to work and move in our lives today.
He has given and sent His Son Jesus into the world so that we would not perish but that we might be saved through Him.
That is something to remember and celebrate during this Advent season.
God bless you, and know that you are constantly in my prayers.
Scott