“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.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.” Luke 1:46-56

Mary’s Song

By Sara Pybus

It is one of those moments when God’s plans seem so vastly different from expectations. In that holy space is a young girl, a servant of God, promised by her family to marry a good man. And she is bewildered when the angel gives her the news of the blessed child she will bear. “How can this be for I am a virgin?” The other questions going through her mind can only be imagined. What will people think? How do I explain this to my parents? to Joseph? Will they believe me?

The angel continues and gives a broader story including Mary’s cousin who is also part of God’s plan. Mary accepts what is told her, “Let it be to me according to your word”. She is compelled to travel quickly to Elizabeth. And the welcome she receives fills her with the assurance that this is all true, she is chosen. Elizabeth hears Mary’s voice and, filled with the Holy Spirit, is given full understanding that Mary is carrying God’s son.

What a relief! Her older and wiser cousin verifies this miraculous thing that is happening. In that moment, Mary is filled with a deep understanding that she is blessed and is part of God’s plan. She sings this beautiful song of praise and testimony to the great ways God is at work.

Mary accepts the same thing every mother accepts. She chooses to allow her body to be used by God to create life. She will bring this innocent child into the world and walk the path of love, hope, uncertainty, and fear for this one so fully dependent upon her. But Mary also accepts what she can’t begin to understand, the divine requirements for her son and the role she will play as His mother, watching it happen.