Mary's Psalm

Luke 1:48b-49 – From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name. (NIV)

I am enthralled with Mary's song recorded in Luke 1:46-55. It's not what I'd expect from a young teen who finds herself pregnant — it's more like the utterances of a seasoned prophet! Here, Mary expresses her personal joy in the style of the Psalms, including Hannah's song. She reveals a vibrant faith that is rooted in an understanding of God's ancient promises. I see her song as a prophecy in the fullest sense — not that Mary is merely foretelling the future, but that she is proclaiming the very promises of God, fully in harmony with what is recorded in ancient Scripture. I think that Mary's poem should be entitled Mary's Psalm. It is truly an inspired word!

Considering that only boys received religious training in her day, do you not wonder how Mary, at her young age, had become so knowledgeable of the Scriptures? Furthermore, many of the Jewish people had drifted from God. I wonder if Mary was reared by godly parents who, through attentiveness to the Scriptures, had helped forge her faith and understanding. Surely, God was preparing her to willingly accept her role in His great divine drama. Mary's words suggest to me that she was deeply rooted in God and His ways. She knew this God! And that protected her mind from the uncertainties of circumstance.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary saw herself as the very fulfilment of ancient promise: that God would diminish the proud and lift up the humble. He had done it many times in the past. Now, He had chosen to lift her to a place of honour and favour — as the mother of the promised Messiah.

To be honoured and favoured by the Lord is, essentially, what it means to be "blessed"! Mary prophesied that she would be called "blessed" by all generations: "for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name."

This Advent season, let us join the voices of the generations who have called Mary "blessed". Let us, like Mary, ascribe the glory to God, thus proclaiming our faith in a holy God Who remains steadfastly faithful to His promises — to all generations. In this way, we proclaim that our God is the same God, yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

Prayer: Holy God, may we be visionary like Mary. May we learn to see all our present circumstances within the grand framework of time. May we, like Mary, become rooted in the knowledge of Your past faithfulness, assured that You will remain just as faithful in the future. May such trust empower us to live each moment with meaning and hope. Amen.