Advent Passage: Luke 1:46-55

Today, we close our Advent time together. I hope you found encouragement this Christmas season through Mary’s Song of praise for her Savior. Thank you so much for following along with me.

This passage is traditionally called The Magnificat, after Luke 1:46, as translated in the King James Version: “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord.” This Latin title captures the intention of the passage, but I called this series Mary’s Song instead because the message is deeply personal.

Mary placed her entire physical, mental, and spiritual self into the delivery of Jesus. She also followed Him along with many other women throughout His ministry. She stood at the foot of His cross, where Jesus spoke lovingly to her before His death (John 19:25-27).

When someone spends this much time with Jesus, I want to hear what she has to say about Him. Mary sings of Jesus’ coming birth as an extension of God’s faithfulness and mercy. She reminds us that God is mindful of the humble. She sings of the great things He does in righteousness and justice. She proclaims that God will continue to be merciful and faithful forever.

And then, Mary lives out her song. She accepts the task of birthing Jesus with all the social risks associated with her age and gender. She runs to behold the sign God provides in Elizabeth and abides with her in community until John’s birth.

Mary marries Joseph and travels with him to Bethlehem to give birth among the animals. She ponders the shepherds and marvels at the kings. She protects Jesus in exile as a refugee in Egypt. She watches Him grow up in Nazareth in wisdom, and stature, and favor (Luke 2:51-52).

Mary prompts Jesus’ first miracle. She gives birth to Jesus’ brothers and sisters, looks for Jesus as He ministers, and follows Him all the way to the cross. In all this, Mary witnesses Jesus do so much more than she could ask or imagine or sing about.

Here is a person whose faith became evident in action. As we move forward into the new year, I pray that we can all do the same. May we also live out the faith we proclaim by following Jesus humbly and faithfully extending His justice and mercy to all people as He lifts us up and loves us. May we also sing, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of me.”

© 2025 Lori Myers Berry

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