Christmas: A Story of Fulfillment - Great Things For Me

This week we consider the song of Mary, often called Mary’s Magnificat because of the Latin translation of her words, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” This is a beautiful song that expresses gospel truth about God’s promises dating all the way back to Abraham. Mary connects God’s promise to Abraham’s descendent with the child she is carrying in her womb. Her child would be the recipient of God’s promise, fulfilling his commitment to his people.

Mary goes beyond God’s promises to Israel and praises him for his faithfulness to those who fear him. In our world, the proud are praised and put on the cover of People magazine; but in God’s world, those who fear him, who walk humbly before him, they are exalted. God’s kingdom isn’t filled with the proud, but with the lowly, with the meek, with those who love righteousness.

Her words strike like an ax at the tree of human pride. They remind us of King Nebuchadnezzar whom God humbled and said, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (Daniel 4:37) Mary’s song reminds us, as James says, “God opposes the proud but he gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Her song challenges the greatness of man, our pride in self, and calls on us to humble ourselves before God who is worthy of praise. Join us as we consider this text and worship our Lord!