Friday, December 22, 2023
- Reflection by Rev. Dr. Craig L. Nessan
Luke 1: 46-55 Mary Sings!
Mary follows God’s lead. The angel announces God’s sacred calling to Mary—to conceive and bear the Christ child. All this from God by mercy and by grace. Through her Magnificat, Mary leads the world to hope for the future, a future where the hungry have enough and with peace forevermore. Mary invites you to sing along:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.”
Mary witnesses as the first disciple, the first apostle, to the glory manifest in the incarnation of God in human flesh, her own human flesh. Mary witnesses to the miraculous turn of events that establishes a new government under the rule of the gentle Prince of Peace, her child, God’s own child.
Today we give thanks for the witness of Mary, the Christ-bearer, who leads us in song. When we sing our favorite Christmas carols, listen for the harmonies of Mary, who leads us toward new hope for the fulfillment of God’s promises. With body and soul Mary is still singing.
