December 16: There's Just Something About Mary

December 16:

Luke 1:46-56 “And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name.  His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.  He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.  He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.  He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.  He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.’  Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.”

There’s just something about Mary.  Everybody seems fascinated with her and has an opinion about her.  Even though there are very few facts about her, we can piece together her character based on her actions and words.

First, Mary may have been young, but she wasn’t stupid.  Even though she, like her contemporaries, had been brought up to be skilled in the domestic arts, Mary was anomaly in that she was very knowledgeable of the Scriptures and prophecies.  At that time, it was only the boys who were typically educated about that sort of thing.  Somewhere along the line, Mary had either used her ears more than her mouth to soak up the learning going on around her, or she had a benefactor who had educated her in more than housewifery.

 When she references the Old Testament, “He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers”(55), Mary is providing proof of her Biblical background knowledge.

Since she knew the “back story,” Mary readily believed the angel when he explains what was about to happen.  Mary had heard, understood, and believed the Prophecies.  Therefore, rather than dismiss the angel’s words as crazy talk, Mary accepted what was to happen and felt honored to be a part of the action.

Secondly, Mary may have been a peasant girl, but she was rich in faith.  Because of her Biblical knowledge, God was more than just a distant deity to Mary. He was the one True God.  We can see her faith as she refers to Him as “the Mighty One who has done great things for me” (49).

More than that, Mary gives Him full credit, honor, and glory.  “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. . .holy is His name” (46-49). She has her eyes set on Him, and her heart is firmly tethered to God.

Lastly, Mary may have been humble and grateful, but she also possessed a warrior spirit.  Perhaps it was due to the fact that she had grown up poor or that she was a member of the weaker, more inferior sex of the day, but Mary seemed to particularly relish the fact that God was taking down the “big shots” and raising up the lowly.

“For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant” (48).

“He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts”(51).

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble” (52).

“He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty” (53).  

There isn’t a lot of ambiguity in those lines.  Mary is enjoying the fact that those who have been on the bottom are not only rising but replacing those who have, until now, been calling the shots at the top. 

It’s not that she is being disrespectful. Mary is lifting a rebel yell in support of her God who is doing exactly what He promised He would do.  Her faith is gaining momentum and picking up speed, which is why she is telling Elizabeth all this in the first place.

I liked her spunk.  Mary was just the right mix of salty and sweet.  She had the gumption and fire of a woman of strong faith.  After all, she was going to be the earthly mama of Jesus Christ.  And yet, Mary also was humbly submissive to God.  He was, and always, would be first in her life. It was from Him that all of her spit and fire originated. 

The bottom line is that Mary illustrated exactly how to do this thing called life. First, she had a Biblical backbone.  Through the Scriptures, she met and learned of the nature and character of God. Next, she had an unshakeable and firm belief in her Savior. Due to this, she humbly submitted all of herself – her life, her reputation, her actions and decisions, her comfort – so that He could be glorified.

Yep, there was something about Mary, and I'm sure glad there was.

John 16:33 “³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”


Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”


Challenge: Compliment someone. Whenever you see someone wearing a nice outfit or jewelry, give her/him a compliment. This always brings a smile to their face and gives you a nice feeling. It's a little thing but can really light up someone's day when they are feeling down.