A Closer Walk
In the Christmas Story found in Luke, after Mary had been visited by the angel Gabriel, she went to visit her relative Elizabeth. "Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 'And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord,'” Luke 1:39-45 NASB.
So Elizabeth blesses Mary, and blesses the fruit of her womb, which we know to be our Lord, Jesus the long promised Messiah. The baby that Elizabeth is carrying is to be named John. He will grow up to be John the Baptist who is the one that baptized the Savior of the world. "The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" John 1:29 NASB.
After their greetings Mary states or sings her gratitude to God. This is called "The Magnificat." "And Mary said: 'My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his offspring forever.' And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home," Luke 1:46-56 NASB.
What beautiful words and thoughts. My soul exalts the Lord. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm. He has brought down rulers from their thrones. And has exalted those who were humble. Again, what beautiful words and thoughts.
As this Christmas season winds down let's remind ourselves who and what it is about and why we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Indeed the Savior of the world!
1 “All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all! 2 O seed of Israel's chosen race now ransomed from the fall, hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all. Hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all! 3 Let every tongue and every tribe responsive to his call, to him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all. To him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all! 4 Oh, that with all the sacred throng we at his feet may fall! We'll join the everlasting song and crown him Lord of all. We'll join the everlasting song and crown him Lord of all.” Words by Edward Perronet, 1721-1792; the tune, Coronation, was written specifically for this piece by Oliver Holden, 1765-1844. This tune is said to be the oldest American hymn still in general usage.