Welcome to Advent 2025! Each Sunday, we’ll explore the verses of Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55 until we reach its crescendo on Christmas Eve. From 11/30 to 12/27, we’ll read biblical passages that prompt Mary’s praise and prepare us to enter the pageant of the birth of our Savior.
Advent Passage Luke 1:46-55
Today begins our third week of Advent! We have reached the peak of Mary’s Song, the words that form her rallying cry. They proclaim the righteousness and justice of God.
God asked Mary, a young woman, to participate in His extraordinary plan. Her “yes” to God came at a cost. Mary lived in a culture of honor and shame, and any hint of adultery would not only bring shame to Mary, it could cost her life under Jewish law.
Given those circumstances, we might easily expect a hint of bravado from Mary. She was risking everything for Jesus, after all. However, Mary’s proclamation has a much broader meaning.
In part, Mary sings about the hope of Israel for restoration as a nation in their land, free from the oppression of Rome. The people were heavily taxed by Rome, without the benefits of Roman citizenship. Rome tolerated Judaism as one of many religions, but also required fealty to Caesar as a god. As a result, the Jews were essentially foreigners in their own ancestral home. They were humbled, poor, and hungry.
Understandably, for many Jews, their hope for a Savior rested in the re-establishment of the Jewish monarchy. They imagined God’s promise of an Eternal King meant an earthly kingdom.
However, when we behold Jesus in the manger, we see the mighty arm of God reaching down low to uplift the humble and feed the hungry. Jesus restores humanity from the bottom up, not through wealth and power, but in His righteousness and justice. As we read in Psalm 103 yesterday, “The Lord works righteousness and justice for the oppressed” (103:6).
Jesus is the Eternal King who came to establish His throne on earth in the vast kingdom of human hearts. We can recognize God’s kingdom at work in the hearts of His people wherever His justice and righteousness are on display—wherever the humble are lifted up, and the hungry are satisfied.
Before we set out toward Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph next week, let’s spend some time preparing for the journey this week as we consider God’s restorative righteousness and justice. Our hearts will be ready to receive the Eternal King in the manger when we arrive. I am so glad you’re on this journey.
© 2025 Lori Myers Berry
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