Day Sixteen

December 18

If Mary had a prepared speech, she never gave it. The Spirit of God literally takes over the meeting and her older cousin breaks out in a celebration that confirms the news Mary has yet to spill. I’m reminded of the old commercial, “How do you spell relief?”

Mary may have spelled it: “E-L-I-Z-A-B-E-T-H!” for the young traveler is suddenly energized! She responds with a song, now famously known as the Magnificat (Latin for “My soul magnifies the Lord”). It’s found it Luke 2:46–55. Mary opens with these lines, “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” (verses 46–47). Interestingly, her words are remarkably similar to those of Hannah, a young mother in the Old Testament. Their circumstances were similar; they both sang of a child, but Hannah’s song was in grateful response to God answering her request for a child, while Mary was chosen to bear the Holy Child. Still, in using Hannah’s words, Mary demonstrates that she has hidden God’s words in her heart. Let’s follow her example!

16) Have you ever tried memorizing Scripture? I can’t recommend it heartily enough. Hiding Scripture in my heart has transformed my life. In these two verses in Luke, Mary expresses her delight to know God as her Lord and Savior. Find and record a Scripture you want to memorize. Write it down, and commit to rehearsing it until it is yours!

Hugs,
Shellie