Christmas Songs

Pt. 1: Mary's Song

By Louie Marsh, 12-7-2025

In response to the situation at hand Mary recited a song which praised God's favor on her and her people. "The Magnificat," as the song is called, consists almost entirely of Old Testament allusions and quotations. The same is true of the songs of Zechariah and Simeon. Mary's song has similarities to Hannah's song.

1 Sam. 2:1-10 – First four verses on the PPT

1) Gratitude – for a PERSONAL relationship with God.

"46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior," (Luke 1:46–47, ESV)

Some have wondered how this young woman managed to speak these insightful words. We can take this beautiful song as coming from the lips of a woman who deeply loved God and to whom God gave special understanding of what he was doing. Just as the Holy Spirit gave Elizabeth insight, so Mary received it as well

"12But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12–13, ESV)

2) Hope – because appearances are DECEPTIVE.

"48for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant…" (Luke 1:48a, ESV)

· The FOOLISHNESS of God.

"25For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."…"27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;" (1 Corinthians 1:25,27, ESV)

3) Wonder – over GOD'S PLAN for my life.

"48… from now on all generations will call me blessed;" (Luke 1:48b, ESV)

When Mary said, "From now on all generations will call me blessed," was she being proud? No, she was recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her. If Mary had denied her privileged position, she would have been throwing God's blessing back at him. Pride is refusing to accept God's gifts or taking credit for what God has done; humility is accepting the gifts and using them to praise and serve God. Don't deny, belittle, or ignore your gifts. Thank God for them and use them to his glory

"11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

4) Excitement – that GOD'S POWER accomplishes His Plan!

"49for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." (Luke 1:49, ESV)

"29For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." (Colossians 1:29, ESV)

5) Relief – I'm FORGIVEN & RESTARTED by His Mercy!

"50And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation." (Luke 1:50, ESV)

THE BIG PICTURE

1) Peace – God is in CONTROL.

"51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;" (Luke 1:51–52, ESV)

2) Joy – God EXALTS the humble.

"53he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty." (Luke 1:53, ESV)

3) Faith – God will NEVER leave me.

"54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."" (Luke 1:54–55, ESV)

"18And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."" (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV)