And Mary said,
I’m bursting with God-news;
I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
His mercy flows in wave after wave
on those who are in awe before him.
He bared his arm and showed his strength,
scattered the bluffing braggarts.
He knocked tyrants off their high horses,
pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet;
the callous rich were left out in the cold.
He embraced his chosen child, Israel;
he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
It’s exactly what he promised,
beginning with Abraham and right up to now.Luke 1:56b-35-The Message
Have you ever tried to imagine what it must have been like to be Mary, before she got to the place where she could sing this powerful song? What must it have been like to have your life turned upside down by an angelic visitor, to have to explain to your fiance how you got pregnant, to continue to live in your small town while the whispers got louder and louder?
No wonder the angel told her about Elizabeth. She needed someone to talk to who understood something about miracle pregnancies!
Years ago, I met a friend who was (and is) a talented pianist, singer and songwriter. In fact, Ken Medema is one of the most talented people I’ve ever known in my life. And one of his earliest story-songs was about Mary and Elizabeth. For your reflection today, I’m going to paste in the words to that song and then give you a link to go over and listen to it. I think you’ll be glad you did.
So many things are happening to me that
I don’t understand –
Visions and angels and a baby named Jesus –
It’s not what I planned.
The plans I have made are like birds’ nests
blown down in the wind and the rain.
And I’m scattered like straw, and I can’t quite
tell where to find saneness again.So, I’ll go tell Elizabeth,
For she’ll understand.
I’ll go tell Elizabeth,
She’ll hold my hand – she’ll understand.“Go talk to Joseph.” Well I’ve talked to Joseph
and Joseph’s a man;
So many things that a woman can know that
a man never can.
Joseph is practical and Joseph is worried with
things of his own.
And talking to Joseph is sometimes no better
than being alone – being alone.So, I’ll go tell Elizabeth,
‘Cause she’ll understand.
Yes, I’ll go tell Elizabeth,
She’ll hold my hand – she’ll understand.
Sometimes I wish I could wake up and discover it all was a dream;I ought to be shouting for joy, yet I’m coming apart at the seams.
Mostly I’m quiet – I keep things inside me – It’s how I get by.
When there’s too much to handle, and I need someone
near me to share a good cry – share a good cry.So many things are happening to me that she’ll understand.
Now that she’s pregnant her life isn’t going exactly as planned.
The plans we both made are like birds’ nests
blown down in the wind and the rain.
And we’re scattered like straw, and we can’t quite
tell where to find saneness again – saneness again.So, I’m coming Elizabeth.
‘Cause I’ll understand.
I’m coming Elizabeth.
I’ll hold your hand – I’ll understand.
Yes, I’m coming Elizabeth.
For I’ll understand.
I’m coming Elizabeth – I’ll hold your hand –
I’ll understand.
copyright, Ken Medema
