MARY WAS QUITE THE SONG WRITER, considering the probability that she didn’t get much of an education, what with being a girl in a man’s world.
Her song shows up in the Gospel of Luke. As Luke tells the story, Mary burst out into poetic praise of God after her relative Elizabeth confirmed that Mary was to become “The mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43).
Before that, all Mary apparently had was the word of an angel, as if people would believe that story.
But now she had backup. Somehow Elizabeth also knew that unmarried virgin Mary was pregnant with a special child.
Bible experts debate where the song came from.
Many Christians, perhaps most, seem to believe that Luke reported the actual words of Mary, and that the inspired words came from her heart as it overflowed with joy.
Others say they wonder how Luke, writing his story a generation after the fact, got his hands on the careful notes someone took as Mary spoke. The guess, in fact, is that no one took notes, and that the words are one of the following:
- Luke attempted to express the happiness Mary felt, using his own words on her behalf.
- Luke picked up a song that churches sang and he adapted it for Mary’s story.
Whether the words came from Mary or from Luke, most Christians would agree that they are both inspired and inspiring.
Mary’s magnificent song
Mary said,
“I can’t keep quiet about the Lord.
I’m so happy about what God has done for me,
Look at me. A servant. Not important at all. Yet important to God. From now on, people will call me blessed.
Mighty God, the Holy One, has done amazing things for me.
For others, too. He shows mercy to people of every generation, to those who respect him.
He’s a powerful God, no doubt about that. Powerful enough to send the proud and the vain into hiding.
Powerful enough to unseat the world’s top officials, who are soon forgotten. Powerful enough to write humble souls into world history, never to be forgotten.
He feeds the hungry with food for body and soul. He serves the callous rich a cold shoulder and invites them to leave.
God has treated his people of Israel to mercy.
He does it—and will keep on doing it forever—because of promises he made long ago to our ancestors: to Abraham and to all of his descendants.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months before going back home.
Luke 1:46-56, Casual English Bible
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