Day 6: A song to God

Today’s scripture: Luke 1:46-55 (NIV) And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but he has lifted up his humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, but he has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he has said to our fathers.”

If you’re a music lover, this passage may sound familiar to you. It’s the makeup of the Magnificat, the Latin translation of the first word of Mary’s message. Mary has been transformed from a shy, timid Jewish girl into a confident messenger of God. She pictures God as a defender of the poor, oppressed and the despised. Is that how Mary felt during her pregnancy with Jesus? She now has pride in being God’s servant. And yet there is humility in her voice. She is praising God with every word she utters.

Much of this passage has been used in hymns and carols over the years. It is common for hymns and praise songs to be filled with scripture. Mary’s words come from the Psalms (138:6, 71:19, 111:9, and more). These aren’t just words from a poet or fine musician. They come from God’s chosen servants. Passages in the New Testament always support Old Testament teachings. Mary’s message confirms God’s promise to Abraham in Gen. 22:16-18. Mary knew that Christ’s birth would fulfill this promise.

Being a servant of God can sometimes be difficult. Just because you desire to serve God in something more meaningful than passing out bulletins on Sundays does not mean your life will be rosy and filled of blessings. On the contrary, God’s servants usually face more strife because of risks they have chosen to take for the kingdom. They usually face more spiritual battles to keep them from presenting the world with a better answer to life: that Jesus saves.

When the message becomes convoluted and inspired by the author and not the creator, trouble brews. Whenever the messenger confuses the message and puts the focus on himself, there are problems. God’s servants grow in faith as they see God fulfill his promises. When they humble themselves and place the emphasis on God, and not themselves, their faith in God grows, sometimes at great cost in their own lives. Mary would have known that kind of trouble. She would have heard whispers about her in the marketplace. When people are confident in God’s message, they grow strong in presenting it. It’s why a feeble teenage girl could ride a donkey for days while being pregnant. She willingly bore the pain. She knew the message was more important than the messenger.

Did you know: The song says, "On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 6 Geese A-laying ..." which signifies the six days of creation.

To view a link to “Magnificat,” go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo1x-62WmrI