Daily Reflections ...

Mary rejoices that she has the privilege of giving birth to the promised Messiah. She glorifies God for his power, holiness and mercy (see Luke 1:49–50) and looks forward to God transforming the world through the Messiah. The proud will be brought low, the humble will be lifted up, the hungry will be fed and the rich will go without (see Luke 1:51–53). Mary exalts God, because he has been faithful to his promise to Abraham (see Luke 1:54–55). 

Echoing the Song of Hannah (see 1 Samuel 2:1–10), a prayer by Hannah giving thanks to God for the birth of her son Samuel, the Magnificat is Mary’s song of thanks for the child within her womb. Song has long been an important means of expressing our deepest emotions, one that all cultures use, whether it be as simple as by singing ‘Happy Birthday’ or a hymn at Mass, or in King David’s composing and singing of a Psalm. 

We have been listening to Christmas carols in our shopping centres for a few weeks now, and they begin to enter our liturgies as we approach the Nativity. These joyous songs capture the spirit of this great season we are about to enter. They tell the Christmas story in a way that captures our hearts and fills us with joy and gratitude, whether we are a little child or a senior citizen. 

Singing boldly, as Mary did, is a proclamation of our faith in the Incarnation and engenders in us a spirit of joy and goodwill. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king!” 

by Mike Humphrys