In this month that brings us once again to celebrating Christmas our focus will be on four songs of Christmas, poetic and prophetic passages associated with Christ’s coming into the world.
We begin the month with Mary’s song as given us in Luke 1:46–55. Mary began her song with the testimony, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” In the ancient Latin version the first word is magnifies, which in Latin is “magnificat.” Hence Mary’s song has passed down with the Latin title “The Magnificat,” taken from that opening word.
Looking at Mary’s song through a theological lens, our dual focus will be on Mary’s magnificent song in general and her magnificent Lord in particular.
As to the song in general we read words that came from deep within Mary’s inner being: “My soul magnifies the Lord.” It went deeper than memorized words sung mechanically. Her song flowed from a saving relationship with the Lord (“my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”).
Noteworthy is the fact that Mary looked upon God as her Savior without any hint of having been conceived immaculately without a sinful nature or living out her life without sin. We recall the occasions when Jesus address her as “woman,” not as “mother,” perchance a gentle reminder that Mary needed to know Him more as sinner to Savior and servant to Master, than as mother to son.
In submission to the Lord
The song also was offered in humility out of submission to the Lord (“He has looked on the humble estate of His servant”). Mary’s song exalted the Lord for His mighty deeds (“for He who is mighty has done great things for me”). Her song exalted Him for the excellency of His person (“holy is His name”). Her song offered hope to the hopeless and hungry (“He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things”).
Mary’s magnificent song offers us insight into praise. Our praise is magnificent when it comes from deep within our hearts and is filled with genuine feeling.
Our praise is magnificent when it flows out of a saving relationship with Christ and is offered from submissive and humble hearts.
Praise is magnificent when it extols and exalts the Lord rather than being a melodious “selfie” that invites admiration and applause. The same might be said of sermons preached and Bible lessons taught.
As with Mary praise that magnifies the Lord rejoices our hearts while uplifting and blessing others.
Mary’s magnificent God
We are at the very heart of theology when we are thinking about God, His attributes and His actions. In the song we behold Mary’s magnificent God. He is the Savior of sinners (“God my Savior”) and the Lover of the lowly (“He has looked on the humble estate of His servant”). Mary’s Lord is the mighty Doer of great things (“for He who is mighty has done great things”), as well as the Dispenser of mercy to those who are reverent in heart (“His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation”).
At the same time God is the mighty Disposer of the high and mighty (“He has brought down the mighty from their thrones”). He is the faithful Fulfiller of His promises (“He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy as He spoke to our fathers”).
As God was to Mary so He is to each of us. As He was in ancient times so He is in our times.
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