Story Within A Story - Mary’s Magnificat

Luke 1:46-55

The newly pregnant Mary went to visit her relative Elizabeth. It was only a few days since the angel Gabriel had told Mary she would bear the Christ child. Elizabeth was older than Mary—old enough to think she couldn’t get pregnant. She was wrong. Gabriel had already announced a miracle pregnancy for Elizabeth. She was in her sixth month.

We don’t know what sort of small talk occurred during this meeting or throughout the next three months as Mary stayed with Elizabeth. The Bible hits only the high points. Elizabeth’s baby seemed to leap in her womb at Mary’s approach; the older woman blessed the younger woman; and Mary responded in song. The song has become known as the Magnificat, from its opening word in Latin.

Throughout her song, Mary praises God over and over. She calls him her Savior, the Mighty One, describing him as holy, merciful, powerful, and a keeper of promises. It is very similar to an Old Testament song of praise sung by Hannah, who thought she was barren but prayed, and then bore Samuel (see 1 Samuel 2). You might expect a very personal reflection from Mary in this moment, but the Magnificat presents a much broader picture. It is personal, but the fact that God has chosen this “lowly servant girl” indicates that he is turning the whole world upside down. He deposes princes and exalts the humble. In the birth of this child, God is fulfilling his promises to Abraham. Mary rightly puts her story within the context of God’s redeeming work in the world.

We should all sing songs like that. Whether you have musical ability or not, you can cultivate an impulse of praise. As you see God working in your life—in pleasant ways or not-so-pleasant ways—can you praise him for it?

There’s nothing wrong with telling God how you feel—the Psalms are full of such offerings—but can you also, as Mary did, connect your story to God’s story? Can you thank God, not only for helping you in this situation, but also for demonstrating that he is a God who cares about us?

In this way we “magnify” the Lord, helping ourselves and others see him better.

The Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.

Luke 1:49