Monday 08 September 2008

Background

The verses above are the start of the Magnificat, a well-lovedsong which Mary, the mother of Jesus, sang out when she met withher relative Elizabeth. Both Mary and Elizabeth were pregnant atthe time and shared their excitement at what God was doing throughthem.

Elizabeth was old (Luke 1:18) and itwas a miracle that she was to have a baby. Her son was John theBaptist who prepared the way for Jesus. You can read more aboutthat a little later in Luke's Gospel (chapter 3).

Mary was young (possibly about 13) and it had been a great surpriseto her that she was chosen by God to give birth to Jesus. Mary'sand Elizabeth's stories are told in greater detail earlier in thechapter.

As the women greet each other, Elizabeth realises how God hasspecially chosen Mary and her unborn child, John, leaps in herwomb. An old mother-to-be and an unborn baby praise God.

Mary's song - the Magnificat - is frequently sung or spoken inchurch services and it has inspired several composers throughoutthe ages, including Monteverdi, Bach, Vivaldi and John Rutter, toset it to music.

To Ponder

A Methodist minister, Neville Ward, once wrote"In Methodism the silence about the Mother of Jesus is positivelydeafening" (J Neville Ward, 'Five for Sorrow Ten for Joy', Epworth1971). Why do you think some Christians seem to ignore Mary?

Today is the day the Church celebrates Mary'sbirthday. How do you think she might help you to think about theway God uses people in the world?