Luke 1:46b-55 (NRSV)
Read Luke 1:46b-55 on biblegateway.com
Verse 46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, Verse 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, Verse 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; Verse 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Verse 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Verse 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. Verse 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; Verse 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. Verse 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, Verse 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Devotion
Long before pop stars began recording Christmas albums, before carols blared through shopping mall speakers, before choirs began leading services of lessons and carols, and even before infant Jesus wailed his first cry, Mary sang. Music has always been part of Advent and Christmas, even that very first Advent, when Mary awaited the birth of her child. When she sang this song, what we now call the “Magnificat,” she testified to God’s work in her own life—“the Mighty One has done great things for me”—and to God’s work in the world—“he has brought down the powerful from their thrones.”
Mary reminds us that God cares for us as individuals and for the world at large: everything from personal joy to cosmic justice is part of God’s concern. The next time you hear Christmas music, remember Mary’s song, and be assured that nothing is too big or too small to be outside of God’s care.
Prayer
Thank you, God, for the gift of music. Help us use music to remember your presence with us—and tune our ears to recognize your melodies of mercy, presence, and peace. Amen.
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