Luke chapter 1 v 46-55:

Saturday December 19th:  Read Luke chapter 1 v 46-55:

Here is Mary’s wonderful song of praise  and rejoicing in God, traditionally called the Magnificat. We must not let the unbiblical teaching the Roman Catholic church builds upon these verses make us fail to realise their real truth, or regard them as we should! Mary’s praise is all for her Lord – she rejoices in Him as her own Saviour, in this recognising her need of a Saviour, and perhaps led by the Spirit to apply the angel’s message to herself. She also speaks of her own ” humble estate “ – her unworthiness in herself – and yet has a God-given awareness that all future generations ” will call me blessed ” – not surely because of herself, but because of the Son she will give birth to, and His saving work in all the world, throughout the ages.She rejoices too in God’s Almighty power, His holiness and His mercy, and looks ahead to how in the Saviour’s coming and work all human pride and self-esteem is shown to be empty, and only those who are humbly dependant on Him will be exalted – so it is indeed all of grace! ( we may compare 1 Corinthians 1 v26-29.) She sees in all this the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, and first to Abraham.  We may think of Genesis 12 v1-3, where God speaks of one descended from Abraham ( still called Abram here ) Who will bring blessing not just to Israel, but to all nations. Here indeed is another long-ago promise of Jesus, the coming of the Saviour of the world ( John 4 v 42.)

Let Mary’s praise, as she rejoices in her God-given awareness of what He is doing and will do through the Son she will give birth to – and that all is by His Sovereign working and grace – inspire and foster our praise too, as we  see again how the lovely and familiar Christmas message is indeed God’s eternal purpose and promise, now fulfilled in human history, but also pointing forward still to the Lord’s second coming and eternal kingdom. Truly, praise the Lord!