Giving Thanks

Mary’s Song of Praise

Mary responded,

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
    and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy,
    and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation
    to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones
    and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel
    and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and his children forever.” Luke 1:46-55

This is the third installment in which is now a series of messages about Giving Thanks (or Thanksgiving). It also ushers in the Christmas season*.

Here are the links to the first two messages (in case you missed reading them):

Give Thanks

Gave Thanks

Now for the passage above, a little (historical) backdrop might be needed. This song happened after Elizabeth, a woman past the child bearing age became pregnant. Elizabeth was Mary's cousin. Mary too became pregnant, three months after, even though she has not been with a man or with the man she was engaged to.

Scared, confused and not really knowing what to think or do, Mary visits Elizabeth. And there, she confirms the miracle in her cousin's life. And in turn, Elizabeth confirms the miracle on hers.

Song of Praise

This is when Mary bursts out in a song of praise and thanksgiving, as we have read above.

Gone was her initial worries and fears. Armed with awe and joy, she is now ready to face what the Lord is doing in her life.

*Anyone wanting to start this Christmas Season right, could start reading the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. And from there, continue reading the next 22 chapters and after that, the Gospel of John and the Book of Acts.

Confusion, anxiety, worries, whatever it is you might be feeling right now, as you start reading the Book of Luke, you will notice that the people written about by Luke -- Zachariah, Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary have all experienced the same thing.

You are not alone and not the only one undergoing these things. They did and they made it through. Growing up, their children, John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth brought them more uncertainties. They definitely changed their world and the whole world's.

But there is hope. There is an answer. Read the Gospels and face the situation you are in with songs of praise and thanksgiving.