In Luke 1:46-55 we come across a remarkable “song” sung by Mary in response to Elizabeth’s words. Many have noted that there are elements of Mary’s song that echo themes from a prayer given at another miraculous birth, that of Samuel to Hannah back in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Truly there is much to be seen in these verses! As we continue in our pattern of preparing for advent alongside J. C. Ryle, he does indeed make note of a number of things we should see here; yet it was his comments on Mary’s thankfulness that struck me most:
Let us mark, thirdly, the lively thankfulness of the Virgin Mary. It stands out prominently in all the early part of her hymn. Her “soul magnifies the Lord.” Her “spirit rejoices in God.” “All generations shall call her blessed.” “Great things have been done for her.” We can scarcely enter into the full extent of feelings which a holy Jewess would experience on finding herself in Mary’s position. But we should try to recollect them as we read her repeated expressions of praise.
Ryle, J. C. 1879. Expository Thoughts on Luke. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers.
We too shall do well to walk in Mary’s steps in this matter, and cultivate a thankful spirit. It has ever been a mark of God’s most distinguished saints in every age. David, in the Old Testament, and St. Paul, in the New, are remarkable for their thankfulness. We seldom read much of their writings without finding them blessing and praising God. Let us rise from our beds every morning with a deep conviction that we are debtors, and that every day we have more mercies than we deserve. Let us look around us every week, as we travel through the world, and see whether we have not much to thank God for. If our hearts are in the right place, we shall never find any difficulty in building an Ebenezer. Well would it be if our prayers and supplications were more mingled with thanksgiving. (1 Sam. 7:12. Phil. 4:6.)
I love, and am deeply challenged by, this reminder of thankfulness being a characteristic among God’s faithful people throughout the ages. Truly, we Christians are called to be thankful – and remembering the arrival of our Messiah should provide all the encouragement we need to respond to our Lord with worship and praise!
