Mary Sang

"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus." -- Luke 1:31

I was twenty-four years old, and about sixteen days overdue when I delivered my firstborn. I'd spent those waiting days bumping along in a bow rider in Rehoboth Bay; painting the chain link fence around our yard -- living as if nothing was ever going to happen. No contractions, no back pains or trouble sleeping; no frequent trips to the bathroom; nothing but constant kicks and my big belly to remind me I was expecting anyone. And truthfully, the thought of labor and delivery terrified me.

Perhaps it's because of my fears, Mary's story resonates with me. She was so young -- probably much younger than I was. Her first child, a precious baby boy -- like mine. "Do not be afraid, Mary" (Luke 1:30). I was afraid. And Mary's circumstances! The whispers and sideways glances. "Joseph is a fool to stay with her!" I deserved those responses; I, too, was unmarried, but prideful, demanding my own way. My son was special to me, all my own; but her Son was special to everyone, a gift to the world from before His first cry! How I wanted to get it all right, to make my son understand he was loved and cared for every minute of his life. But how to demonstrate that to the Son of the Most High? What to feed the Son of God? "Is He warm enough? Does He seem feverish to you? Is that normal?" I can't imagine the pressure.

But Mary sang!

“My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm;He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.” -- Luke 1:46-55

Had she begun to show? Was there any evidence of a miracle taking place within her? It's likely there was not. And yet, she praised the Lord. Am I willing to magnify the Lord even when I can see no evidence of His grace in my current situation? Nazareth was a tiny town, and anthropologists believe many of its residents were related. No secrets there. What were people going to say? Would they allow them to think Jesus was illegitimate? Or tell them He was God's Son? (There's a dilemma.) But Mary sang! Is my song more important than my standing? Mary would watch as her son was continually harassed and hunted by the law, only to later be betrayed to death by a close friend. For three days, Mary would mourn her son; her precious, firstborn son would be entombed in a garden grave. And yet, Mary sang. Is there joy in my heart when the joy of life is hidden from my eyes? Can I raise my voice above the roar of the storm? Mary sang.

So find your song and sing it with all you've got. Raise your hands and lift your voice to the God of mercy and might, who makes all things new. Praise the God who exalts the lowly and speaks to His people even today. Sing like Mary sang, from the soul.