Our first in this series as we prepare for the Christmas will be on the Song of Mary. Luke 1:45-55 contains what is called the Magnificat; Mary’s song magnifying God. This song is a response of Mary to an angelic visitation announcing to her about the divine conception and birth of Jesus Christ. When the angel of God visited Mary, his first words to her was: “Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:28, NKJV). Then the angel assured her not to be afraid, that Elizabeth her relative had equally conceived a male child. The visitation and the news that Elizabeth had conceived made Mary to quickly run and visit Elizabeth. She eventually spent three months with Elizabeth.

When God visits us, He gives us a new song. This was what happened to Mary. May God give each one of us a new song this Christmas season.

God’s visit to Mary enshrined her name in the annals of history. Never before had a divine visit resulted in a virgin birth. Suddenly, Mary became a living memorial; a testimony of how God could lift one from insignificance to prominence. Mary in her song reveals the transformation that occurred in her condition.

In verses 46-47, we read that Mary magnifies the Lord with her soul and spirit. What does it mean to magnify God? John Piper illustrates this with the difference between a microscope and a telescope. When we magnify God, it is like using a telescope, instead of a microscope, to view the image of God. Having a telescopic view of God gives us a better understanding of how awesome, great, and indescribable He is.

In verse 48, Mary glorifies God for condescending to her level and making her become a celebrity and reference point, “henceforth all generation shall call me blessed.” This is a true fulfillment of Job 36:5: “Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one; He is mighty in strength and understanding.”

In verses 49 and 50, she recites three attributes of God. She declares that God is mighty, holy, and merciful to all who fear Him. “For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.”

In verse 51, she says God’s work in her life has confounded the pride of man, “He has scattered the proud in the imaginations of their hearts.”

Verse 52, from her experience the lowly exchanged position with the mighty, “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.”

In verse 53, Mary recaps Matthew 5:6, how God deals with the spiritually hungry and social rejects in contrast with those who are spiritually complacent. The hungry receive divine attention while the spiritually satisfied are sent away empty, “He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.”

In verses 54 and 55, she equates her experience of God’s favour as mercy shown to Israel. This to her was a fulfillment of what was spoken to the ancient fathers. “He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.”

Mary in these 10 verses of Scriptures sang a song we all ought to re-echo magnifying and praising God this Christmas season. Her experience gives hope to the lowly that God is always mindful of them. God’s mercies are for the lowly in heart.

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