In her inspired exclamation of praise commonly referred to as the Magnificat, Mary magnifies the Lord for looking on her humble estate, and granting her favor in the hearts and minds of generations to come. She declared that God has shown strength with his arm, scattering the proud while exalting the lowly and humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. God has remembered his covenant with his people Israel, and with Abraham and his offspring. The faithful God has kept his word and will bring deliverance to his people Israel, to his church, and to his creation forevermore.

When Mary goes to visit Elizabeth, she is looking for confirmation of what the angel has told her about her pregnancy. Imagine the relief when Elizabeth confirms the word without Mary asking. The Magnificat is in some ways Mary’s relief. In a larger sense, it is a great relief for God’s people who have hoped for the promised savior. The Lord is finally visiting his people in affirmation of his promise.

We praise you Lord, for the relief that weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning!

“Worship in the New Testament is a comprehensive category describing the Christian’s total existence. It is coextensive with the faith-response wherever and whenever that response is elicited. Consequently, ‘our traditional understanding of worship as restricted to the cultic gathering of the congregation at a designated time and place for rite and proclamation will no longer do. This is not what the New Testament means by worship.’”

~ David G. Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992. pp. 18-19

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Emmanuel, God with Us, Matthew 1.18-25

Book Reading
Peterson, Engaging with God