Scripture Reading: Luke 1:46-55
To a wide-eyed 5 year old, Christmas is lights and toys and brightly-wrapped boxes under a living room tree. To a retailer it is increased sales and profits. To a busy housewife Christmas is a fatiguing schedule of shopping, decorating, and cooking.
But to Mary, Jesus' mother, the birth of Christ was an occasion for an impassioned declaration of unbridled joy. Her joy is firmly founded on the character and works of God. In her prayers of thanksgiving, Mary unashamedly proclaims what He is like and what He has done. This is the essence of worship.
The poem in Luke 1:46-55 has been called "The Magnificat" taken from the first word of the Latin translation of this text. In it Mary lauds the majesty of God by praising His …
… mercy (vv 48, 50, 52, 54)
… power (vv 49, 51, 52)
… holiness (v 49)
… faithfulness (vv 54, 55)
Mary's reaction to the Almighty God is to respond with delight from deep within her. She says, "My soul magnifies the Lord; my spirit has rejoiced in God, my Savior." This is not a passing, surface, emotional response. It is a deep desire to take pleasure in God and to make Him known to others. Our response to Christ should not be less.
