DAY 7: Mary’s Magnificat
Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat
“And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.’” – Luke 1: 46-55 ESV
My Thoughts:
Mary’s song of praise and gratitude is beautiful. I love the opening line, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” It is a perfect sentiment for Advent. And she rightly ends the Magnificat with the assertion that God in His mercy has fulfilled His promise made to Abraham so long ago that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen 12:3 ESV). Mary understood that the Messiah would bring to culmination God’s redemptive plan for the world started so long ago. In Christ Jesus all believers find eternal salvation.
The Immaculate Conception by Sassoferrato, 1600s
It is with a heart full of gratitude that everything else in your life— all the gifts to be bought and wrapped, parties to be attended, and decorations to be made—will come into perspective. We will begin to see, even amidst the demands and craziness of Christmas preparations and activities, the real meaning and purpose of these efforts— celebrating the Lord’s arrival in our world. It is the reason for the season after all.
Activity: Create a Gratitude List
Jot down 5 things in your life that you are grateful for today.
Prayer:
Lord, you have put gladness in our hearts;
you have satisfied our hunger with good things.
In giving all, you have not withheld from us
your own dear Son.
*Banner artwork based on Immaculate Conception by Murillo, 1650
