She’s a Keeper

A Series on Advent
The hymns of Luke’s birth narrative: The Magnificat by Mary
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Luke 1:26-56 

[In Luke’s Gospel, there are four songs sung by different individuals, or a group, that were involved in the story of Christ’s birth. In this series, we will look at the meaning of those songs, how the singer was involved in the birth story and what it means for us today.]

 

On September 14, 1974, my wife Debbie and I were married. We were young and in love. Debbie was beautiful in her wedding gown. She was the one for me. And, over the years my love for her has grown as I’ve learned that she was even more than I could have hoped for or expected. She’s a keeper!

 

Following the custom of her day, when Mary was probably between the ages of 12-14, she was betrothed to Joseph. She was a normal Jewish girl growing up in the small town of Nazareth of Galilee. Her future was pretty much mapped out for her. That is, until her life was turned upside down.

 

Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, came to her and gave her some startling news. Even though she was a virgin, he told her that she would conceive and give birth to a son who was to be named Jesus. He would be called the Son of God. The Lord would give him the throne of David. His Kingdom would never end!

 

At first, it was disturbing news for Mary because, as a poor young Jewish girl, she had no social status. This meant that if Joseph refused to marry her, then her father would have to take her into his home. And if he didn’t, then she would have to fend for herself by either begging or prostitution.

 

It was also disturbing because she was already betrothed. How would she tell Joseph? Who would believe her story of an angel? What would become of her and her baby? What would her friends and family think and say about her?

 

Despite having so much to lose, Mary said yes and emphatically embraced her call.  “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” 

 

Having been told by Gabriel that her cousin Elizabeth was pregnant also, Mary decided to visit her. Elizabeth’s story was just as miraculous, as she had been childless and was now too old to have a baby.

 

When Mary greeted Elizabeth, her baby “leaped for joy within her”.

 

⁴² Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. ⁴⁵ You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”    NLT

 

In this meeting of the miracle moms, Mary responded in spontaneous song. Her hymn of praise is known as the Magnificat which is the opening word in the Latin translation. It means glorifies, or praise.

 

⁴⁶ Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. ⁴⁷ How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! ⁴⁸ For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.                        NLT

 

Mary continued her song with a litany of the Lord’s mighty deeds. With Old Testament themes of helping the poor and humble and casting down the proud and wealthy, she wove Scripture seamlessly into her song of praise.

 

Imagine God and Gabriel looking down at Mary and discussing her good traits as she sang. “She’s a keeper”, says Gabriel. “I know” says God. Mary believed that the Lord would do what he said. She trusted in his faithfulness; that nothing was impossible for the Lord.

 

^37 “For the word of God will never fail.”             NLT

 

Thanks be to God!

 

Copyright 2025 Joseph B Williams

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