Sermon 22nd December 2024 – 4th Sunday in Advent Text: The Song of Mary Magnificat Luke 1:46-55

 Sermon 22nd December 2024 – 4th Sunday in Advent

Text: The Song of Mary Magnificat Luke 1:46-55

Something you might not know about me is that I don’t like musicals. If I’m watching a movie and they break into song I will fast forward through it. However, having said that, it seems that the natural response in the Bible – Old and New Testament was to break into song. Last week we had the song of Zechariah In recent times we’ve had the song of Hannah at the birth of Samuel and the song of Miriam when Israel escaped from Egypt. King David began the Levitical choir and wrote Psalms many of which are headed with instructions to the director of music. So I don’t know why I don’t like musicals – but I must admit that if I’m driving alone I do like singing along to songs. The bible even encourages us to in Psalm 96 to - Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Today we have the Song of Mary or what is commonly known as The Magnificat. This Song of Mary, is a song of praise and thanksgiving that Mary, the mother of Jesus, sang after learning that she would give birth to the Savior of the world. In this prayer, Mary exclaims, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" – which was what St Paul urged last week – rejoice in the Lord always. Mary's words share her faith and trust in God, despite the challenges and trials she faced.  An unwed young girl – betrothed to a devout man, Joseph, from the line of David, could have been stoned to death for bringing dishonour. But instead she acknowledges that she is a humble servant of the Lord, and she marvels at the greatness of God's mercy and power.

The Magnificat is a powerful reminder of the importance of humility, faith, and trust in God when God might ask of us something that squeezes our shoes or puts us outside of our comfort box.  Mary's words show us that God looks favorably upon the lowly and humble – the ones that sometimes we might cross the street to avoid. She reminds us that God will lift up those who trust in him.  The Magnificat is more than a personal expression of gratitude. It's a prophetic proclamation of God's kingdom breaking into our world. 

Mary sings of a God who exalts the humble, fills the hungry, and scatters the proud.  It's a world turned upside down, where the last shall be first, and the meek shall inherit the earth. It is a promise birthed in the womb of Mary.  Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, is coming to bring about God's justice and love in humble surroundings – born in a manger – revealed to lowly shepherds.  He will be a light to the nations in darkness, hope for the oppressed, and a saviour for the lost. Through the Magnificat, Mary proclaims the greatness of God's love, mercy, and faithfulness, and she acknowledges that God's promises will be fulfilled even when they seem extreme or impossible.

Mary was greatly troubled at the words of the angel Gabriel –  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. Not surprisingly Mary asks - How will this be since I am a virgin? To which Gabriel replied - nothing will be impossible with God.”  And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.

So as we reflect on the Magnificat, let us take inspiration from Mary's example of trust and obedience when things seem impossible.  Mary recognizes that she, a lowly servant, has been chosen for a task beyond her comprehension. Her response is not fear or doubt, but a joyful acceptance of God's will. Let us remember that God's promises are true and that he is faithful to fulfill them and, as St Paul said to the Philippians - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Let us have faith in God's plan for our lives, knowing that he is always with us, guiding and protecting us. Let us follow Mary's example of humility, faith, and trust in God even when it seems that the entire world is against us. Let us remember that God is faithful and that he will always fulfill his promises to us and that all things are possible with God, as Jesus once told the disciples: With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

So, let us lift up our voices in praise and sing a new song unto the Lord, as Mary did, magnifying the Lord and rejoicing in his goodness. Like Mary, let us respond to God's grace to us with gratitude and hope and be instruments of God's kingdom, to bring light into the darkness, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. 

Amen.