Advent Devotion for December 23, 2019 from Apostles By-the-Sea - Episode 23

Monday, December 23, 2019

 

Luke 1:46-55

⁴⁶ And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
    Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
⁵⁰ 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 powerful from their thrones,
    and lifted up the lowly;
⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵ according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

 

Reflection:

Mary’s song is one that is sung from the heart, from the depths of her being. Mary lifts up the Lord God as she gives thanks for who God is, and praises him for what he has done. What God has done in the birth of Jesus is personal with Mary, but its implications reach back into history. In his mercy, God remembers his covenantal promises to his servant Israel. Jesus’ birth was the historical fulfillment of God’s promises, a birth that happened through a beautiful woman of character, Mary, who was uniquely blessed of God. In many ways, Mary is a model of faith in God, one who believed what the Lord said and rejoiced in God her Savior (Luke 1:47). Like Mary, we are called to live so that in word and deed, every part of our being would rejoice as we magnify the promise-keeping God who saves.