Slideshow image

December 8

Title: The Song of Mary

Text: Luke 1:46-55

Music. I think I am like most humans. I like it. I listen to music when I am sad. I listen when I need to stay awake driving. I don’t really sing when I am happy, but I know quite a few people that do. Mary did. One of the most beautiful songs in the Bible came from her mouth. 

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (Luke 1:46-55)

I have two observations about Mary’s song. 

Music is meant to touch the soul. 

Whether you are listening or singing—it is meant to interact with your soul. C.S. Lewis in The Magician’s Nephew imagined Aslan (the Christ character) using the means of singing to create. 

​​"A voice had begun to sing. It was very far away and Digory found it hard to decide from what direction it was coming. Sometimes it seemed to come from all directions at once. Sometimes he almost thought it was coming out of the earth beneath them. Its lower notes were deep enough to be the voice of the earth herself. There were no words. There was hardly even a tune. But it was, beyond comparison, the most beautiful noise he had ever heard. It was so beautiful he could hardly bear it."

Notice Aslan’s singing is deep and profound. From his soul. The same thing for Mary. She sang from her soul. 

Her song reveals the depth of her knowledge of God. 

God is mighty. God is holy. God is merciful. God is our helper. He helped Israel and now He helps us—the present day people of God. All of these attributes came out of Mary’s song. She may have been young in age, but not spiritually. Not many 14 year olds can emit such theological depth. 

For the Christian, we all have a song to sing. Someday the elect of God will sing a new song, a song only they can learn (Rev. 14:3). The Christmas season is always filled with singing. May this year we sing from our souls—proclaiming the mighty works of God. 17 days till Christmas.