A Humble Mother Worships God

For those of us who reside in the U.S., today is Mother’s Day 2025, and my thoughts turned to Mary, the virgin mother of the Son of Man (Jesus’ favorite phrase for Himself), Emmanuel, God with us. Her song of praise to Yahweh is often called The Magnificat because in her heart Mary magnified the name of her Lord, the God of Israel.

Here’s a reminder of what the angel Gabriel said to Mary:

Luke 1: 31-33 (BSB)
31 Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. 32 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, 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”

But Mary was a faithful Hebrew who knew of the promised Messiah, and she had heard her people’s prayers asking for His coming. After the angel Gabriel’s announcement, Mary traveled to visit her childless cousin Elizabeth, an older woman and wife of Zechariah, a temple priest. When Mary entered Elizabeth’s home she discovered that her cousin was also pregnant—no longer barren. Elizabeth’s womb was carrying John the Baptist, the coming Messiah’s “voice in the desert” who would proclaim Jesus to the people when He started His ministry.

In Elizabeth’s home, something amazing happened that would prompt Mary’s song:

Luke 1:41-45 (BSB)
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”

Imagine the scene! Here are two faithful Hebrew women, two expectant mothers, who are filled with awe and wonder at what the God of Israel was doing to keep His promise to His beloved people. Imagine what filled their thoughts as it dawned on them that Almighty God was using them in Messiah’s story!

A Hymn of Praise for a Promise Fulfilled

As the Holy Spirit opened their eyes and hearts, Mary burst into song:

Luke 1:46-56 (BSB)
46 Then Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

48 For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed.

49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me.
Holy is His name.

50 His mercy extends to those who fear Him,
from generation to generation.

51 He has performed mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who are proud
in the thoughts of their hearts.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
but has exalted the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
but has sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped His servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful,

55 as He promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Mary returned home knowing her body would soon show the growing Emmanuel in her womb.

Mary returned home knowing she would have a difficult conversation with her family and with her fiancé Joseph the carpenter.

Mary returned home not yet knowing that “a sword shall pierce her soul as well” (the words of Simeon in Luke 2:25-35, NIV) when she would witness her son, her Messiah, nailed to a cross to die…for her…for the world.

Mary returned home not yet knowing that she would see her dead son raised alive again by God the Father whom she magnified and worshiped after His messenger Gabriel left her so many years before.

Mary returned home not yet knowing that she would see Pentecost and be baptized in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:12-14 and Acts 2:1-4)

And today, in 2025, Mary’s song to our Lord God, our amazing Abba (daddy), still resonates in believers’ hearts, and guides us Jesus followers in worship and praise when our own words might fail us.

Your Turn

No matter what’s going on in your life, no matter what’s happening at home, take time this week to read through Mary’s song several times. Pray the words she used in worship to God.

Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you in your own worship to the Lord this week. Feel free to write them down on paper or type words into your computer and print out a hard copy. Put the paper inside your Bible to refer to later.

Use Mary’s song to guide you in singing a new song to our Lord!

Amen.

Maranatha, (again) come Lord Jesus.
Soli Deo Gloria!

Conversation & Community

What are your thoughts about these two mothers? Or, about Mary’s song of worship?

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