Mary's Song

I reread most of the Christmas passages this week and was intrigued by some ideas in Mary’s magnificent song, her response when she saw Elizabeth for the first time after they both had seen angels and both were miraculously pregnant:

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1:46-55 NI

I see 3 thoughts that give comfort to us when we’re hurting.

1. God was “mindful” of Mary’s situation. I believe He is also mindful of yours. He is not up there somewhere looking off dreamily into the universe. He knows what is going on in your life and in your heart. He is mindful of the pain and sorrow of your grief. You are not alone wherever you are on your grief journey now. 2. He has scattered the proud (ie, those who thought they had their lives together, but now they have had to come to the end of themselves, like the rest of us); brought rulers down and lifted up the humble; filled the hungry and emptied the rich. In His coming kingdom, everything is upside down and inside out. So your pain, sorrow and grief will also be turned to joy and understanding and peace. I’m looking forward to those days when there is no more pain or grief! * 3. In the last line, these words appear: “as He promised.” Here is comfort too. He promised that He will be with us and not forsake us. So right now, you are not forsaken no matter how you might feel otherwise. He promised that He will make all things new. So your life will be remade by God’s grace into something full and rich and good.

God has promised that He is with us all the time everywhere. Not looking over our shoulders and judging, but being there so we have someone to lean on when things get tough. He says He will redeem our sorrows and make them into something good so we can rejoice. He keeps His promises. So we can rejoice through this season.

Read the Christmas Scriptures and look for little nuggets that give you hope in your present circumstances. They are there. Blessings in your reading. *Revelation 21:4