Luke 1:46-55 (NRSV)
Read Luke 1:46-55 on biblegateway.com
Verse 46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, Verse 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, Verse 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; Verse 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Verse 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Verse 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. Verse 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; Verse 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. Verse 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, Verse 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Devotion
God’s choice of Mary to be the mother of the Son of God is just another example of God’s great reversal – creating life out of death. Given God’s tendency to choose the most unlikely characters to accomplish the divine agenda, it is appropriate that God choose a poor, young, unmarried woman to be the mother of the Messiah.
Moses was not an accomplished public speaker, let alone a good manager or CEO, yet he led the Israelites out of Egypt. Jonah was a “chicken” who ended up in the belly of a whale, yet God used him as a messenger.
The expectation was that the Messiah would be a triumphant warrior king. But God sent a carpenter’s son, born to an unmarried virgin named Mary. Instead of being frightened and running away, she actually thanks God for her condition, position and responsibility, calling it a blessing.
Prayer
Lord God, open our eyes to the unexpected miracles you bestow upon us. May we rejoice and give thanks as freely as did Mary. Amen.