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A pregnant teenager. A young woman with nothing to offer by the world’s standards, a woman of little influence and no power, ushers in the Savior of the world. Nothing speaks of the magnificence of a Lord who uses the “least of these” quite like the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. We know the story well and have heard it repeatedly each Christmas season. She heard from the angels, and she obeyed and was blessed. But we often miss little gems about how incredible Mary’s story was. She was a woman who knew deeply the Word of the Lord. She may likely have been illiterate, yet she had tucked the promises of Scripture deep in her heart. Mary didn’t need much to fulfill the tremendous role other than a submissive spirit and willing heart – two things she embodied to the fullest. Mary was a woman ready to be used by the Lord, with little given to her in return. Mary said “yes” to the plan and call on her life in such a profound and moving way that there is infinite wisdom to glean from her life story. Her “yes” was fulfilled, and her heart was filled with worship in the waiting. I could argue that her Magnificat is one of the greatest moments of true faithful surrender in all of Scripture. All of that from a lowly, uneducated young woman. If that is the story for her, what is the story for you?

Reflection: Are there areas of your life worthy of your own Magnificat? Take time and jot down words of praise for a God who has done immeasurably more than we could hope or imagine.

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