Luke 1:46b-55, NRSV
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Yesterday’s reading is the more common one for Christmas morning, but this year, we have the Magnificat. And it is so appropriate! This beautiful song/prayer, sung/offered by that young mother-to-be — it’s remarkable on so many levels. She sings of things turned upside-down — and that is exactly what her baby boy came to do, isn’t it? To turn this world around, to make us think and act and live differently, to help us look out for one another and to praise God for his goodness and mercy. May it be so!
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!
Merry Christmas, Diana!
Our poor world is plagued by problems of all sorts. BUT! If Jesus had never come and his influence had not impacted millions of Christians, Planet Earth may have ceased to exist long ago, due to unchecked selfishness, jealousy, and pride. Praise God he turns each of us right side up when we accept him into our lives. He encourages us to grow more and more like him–compassionate, kind, selfless, and more. And he even gives us great delight in the becoming! Dear Diana, I pray you are enjoying a Christmas season full of joy in our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus.