Rev Gav
Magnificat
Luke 1:46-49. God is worthy of praise, not just because of what God has done, but because of who God is.
Luke 1:46-49
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise
46 Mary responded,
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.
Reflect
Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth who was also pregnant, and after they shared each other’s news about what the angels had told them, Liz pronounced a blessing upon Mary and her unborn baby. In response, Mary could not contain herself and burst into the most wonderful song of praise to God. You can imagine her looking up, raising her arms, and with the biggest smile on her face singing out loud to God.
Did you know that Mary’s song is sometimes called ‘The Magnificat’. No, a magnificat is not a feline super hero! Get it, ‘Magnifi-cat’? Oh never mind… Anyway, it is called the Magnificat because in Latin (the Roman language the Bible was translated into by the early church) the first word of Mary’s song was ‘magnificat’ meaning ‘magnifies’ or ‘praises’.
The Magnificat hasbeen used in Christian worship for centuries and is often included in the words that people say together when they gather for church worship.
You see, Mary’s song is not just her own thoughts for herself, but it is for everyone for all time, and that means it is for you. When Christians gather, they often gather to worship — to offer praises to God — not just because of what God has done, but because of who God is. In other words, God is worthy of praise whether we praise him or not.
Do
Today, say some words that give God praise — for who God is and for what God has done.
Pray
Holy God
I lift my eyes to you and give you all my praise.
May my words honour you
and my actions speak of your greatness.
I worship you, Lord God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirt.
This day and for ever.
Amen.
Think
Why do you think Christians use Mary’s Song (The Magnificat) as part of their own worship?
Which bits of Mary’s Song connect with our lives and the world we live in today?
