Finding Peace in Mary's Magnificat
Advent, Week Four
In 1847, France witnessed the emergence of a Christmas song that would quickly capture hearts across the nation. Within the decade leading up to the American Civil War, this song was translated into English for U.S. audiences, though reactions were notably mixed. The song's impact transcended mere popularity, as evidenced by a remarkable incident in 1871 when French and German soldiers, upon hearing its melody rising from the trenches, spontaneously declared a 24-hour truce.
The song's significance in history was further cemented on Christmas Eve 1906 when it became part of a groundbreaking moment in human communication. During the first-ever transmission of hthe uman voice over airwaves—an event that seemed nothing short of miraculous to people of that era—the broadcast began with the timeless words from Scripture: "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed." This historic Christmas carol, performed on violin, earned the distinction of being the first song ever to traverse the miraculous medium of radio waves.
Back in 1850s America, the song's presence was notably uneven; depending on one's location, it might have been either completely unknown or deliberately avoided. However, its lyrics carried profound weight:
"Truly he taught us to love one another,
His law is love and his gospel is peace,
Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother,
And in his name all oppression shall cease."
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise his Holy name,
Christ is the Lord;
O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim."
(O Holy Night)
For its time, these words represented a radical claim that challenged societal norms.
In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter another revolutionary song—Mary's Song, also known as The Magnificat. Far from being a gentle lullaby, this was a radical anthem calling for both social and spiritual transformation. Mary's words painted a portrait of a world turned upside-down—or perhaps more accurately, a world finally turned right-side up.
Within these verses, Mary demonstrates a child-like trust, appearing perfectly confident and comfortable in God's presence and with the divine plan revealed to her. The scripture captures her bold declaration:
"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, NIV)
When faced with the monumental task of becoming the Messiah's mother, Mary's response was neither panic nor fearful retreat. Instead, she embraced the moment with joy, bursting into song and pouring out her heart in praise. This exemplifies how we should approach life's overwhelming moments—with open arms and grateful hearts, ready to trust God even without full understanding. Mary's profound insight was recognizing that her selection wasn't about personal merit but about participating in something greater than herself. Her immediate response to praise God sets an example for all believers.
Mary's declaration that "all generations will call me blessed" becomes particularly meaningful when considering her unlikely status as the chosen mother of the Messiah. On paper, she seemed the least qualified candidate—a young woman from an unremarkable family lacking wealth, status, or connections. Her situation was further complicated by her unmarried, pregnant status, which in her culture meant facing serious social disgrace and community judgment. By every worldly standard, nothing recommended her for such an important role. Yet, what made her extraordinary was precisely her ordinariness and her ability to understand and embrace her role in God's larger plan. Her humble acceptance of divine purpose made her the perfect choice.
God's selection of Mary continued a pattern of choosing men and women who defied the social, religious, economic, political, and cultural expectations of their time—a pattern that persists today. Have you ever been asked by God to do something for which you felt unprepared or inadequate? What is important it not our personal capability but rather our willingness to let God work through us!
In God's kingdom, conventional social rules about wealth, power, and status are inverted, creating a level playing field where everyone stands on level ground, regardless of their starting point or societal advantages. This transformation manifests in diverse communities where successful business owners and manual laborers, elderly retirees and young single parents, recent immigrants and lifelong residents break bread together, worship together, and share life in fellowship, each day experiencing and extending God's grace.
Mary's song paints a beautiful picture of a God whose deep love actively heals and restores our broken world, serving as a living invitation to join in this ongoing work of transformation. As we navigate our own uncertain times, we're called to sing Mary's song in our own key, in our unique genre and style, with the voice we've been given. We're encouraged to walk with the feet we have, in the places we find ourselves, embracing the opportunities before us with hearts transformed by Christ for a humble, yet divine purpose. May our lives echo divine hope, love, joy, and peace for those who cannot yet see the way or hear the song.
Steven E Fairbanks
Steven E Fairbanks
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