By Jack Hammans

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46-47

A Christmas tradition that is deeply meaningful to millions of people is the singing of Christmas carols. I looked up the definition of the English word “carol.” It means “a song, especially of joy.” 

Luke 1:46-47 is the opening line of the oldest Christmas carol of all–the exuberant song of joy and praise that Mary the mother of Jesus sang in response to a blessing spoken to her by Elizabeth (v. 45). Mary’s song is often called the Magnificat, named from the first line in the Latin translation of the Bible.

For Christians, the top priority of Advent and Christmas, indeed all year long, is glorifying God. That is the main thing! It is always a challenge for us, especially so (ironically) in this “holy season” to “keep the main thing the main thing.” The opening line of Mary’s song inspires us to do that.

Mary exalts God for his greatness. That’s what it means to “magnify” the Lord. Mary exalted God in complicated circumstances. On one hand: wonderful because she had been favored to be the bearer of the Messiah; on the other hand: dreadful because, as an unmarried virgin, hers was a “problem pregnancy.” Whatever our own circumstances, God is most worthy of praise for his unfathomable greatness (Psalm 145:3).

Mary engages her entire inner being in praise of God. “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God…” The terms “soul” and “spirit” are interchangeable, referring to her inner self. This combination is a powerful, emotive way of saying, “With all that is within me, I magnify and praise the Lord.” We must often exhort our inner selves to bless the Lord (Psalm 103:1)

Mary emphasizes God’s saving work. She extols “God my Savior.” Mary was a sinner like the rest of us. The child she was carrying was to be the Savior of the world and her own “personal Savior.” The focal point of Christian worship is God’s redemptive work in Christ. Each of us needs the constant reminder, in the words of John Newton, that “I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great Savior.” 

Dear Father, thank you for Mary’s example of worshiping you in spirit and truth. In the midst of all the extra demands and distractions of this season, enable us by your Spirit to keep the main thing of glorifying You the main thing in our lives. Amen.