The angel said to Mary, “Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High,” Luke 1:31-32a CSB

And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Luke 1:46-48a CSB

Mary is sitting in her home, maybe she is thinking about when she and Joseph will marry. Maybe Mary is preparing food or remembering the recent celebrations of the Festival of Lots and Purim. Suddenly, a “man” appears and greets her, calling her “favored woman” and saying that God is with her. Mary is concerned, even a bit frightened. Then the visitor tells her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

Then…our first verse. What would you be thinking? Mary handles it all so beautifully. She is puzzled and asks how this can happen. And Gabriel explains and also tells her that her relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

Mary’s life had changed dramatically within just these few minutes of conversation. Mary is not only to become a wife to Joseph, but she is to become the mother of God’s Son. Do doubts creep in? What will Joseph say? What will people think? But if Mary had any doubts, we don’t know. But we do know she accepted her future gladly.  “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Luke 1:38

Mary then went to visit her relative Elizabeth in the hill country of Judah. Maybe she wanted to see for herself that Elizabeth was pregnant. Maybe she just needed some support. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and told Mary that she was blessed and that she would be the mother of the Lord. The next part of the story is Mary’s praise to the Lord God. Our second verse is just the beginning. Find the complete praise in Luke 1:46-55.

This Christmas season let’s be like Mary and magnify the Lord. Praise His name, share your story of all He has done for you. Raise Him up and put the focus on Him. Let each of us remember the real reason for our celebrations. The birth of God’s Son who came to earth to seek and save all who will believe.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we magnify our Lord along with Mary this Christmas season.

Blessings and joy in the Lord!