Advent Day 5 - The Magnificat (Song of Mary)

This song is the outpouring of praise from a humble heart. When we think of how many people have tried to make Mary almost a goddess (‘Queen of Heaven’), this song reveals that her focus is not on herself, but on the blessings granted to her. Her opening words are beautiful: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour …’ (v. 46). Mary wanted God to have all the praise. Some have claimed that, in order to give birth to the Lord Jesus, Mary must have been without sin. Yet she calls God her ‘Saviour’ [v.47], thus recognizing that she herself was a sinner whom God had saved.

Mary’s song introduces us to the saving work of the Lord Jesus—the one who would minister particularly among the poor, the humble and the unknown.[1]

Luke 1:46–55 (NKJV) — 46 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

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[1] Childress, G. (2006). Opening up Luke’s Gospel (p. 18). Leominster: Day One Publications.