Advent-Christmas Devotions
Thursday, December 11
Luke 1:46b-55
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
50 indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has come to the aid of his child Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
“… he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. …”
In an age when the rich seemed to be sticking it to the poor, Mary’s song offered hope. For someone of humble beginnings and a lowly station in life, to recognize that the coming Lord would usher in a time of reversal and renewal was nothing short of astounding. For Mary, and all those like her, being filled with good things even in the face of their poverty was a sign of God’s blessings.
Certainly, transferring Mary’s condition to our own today is a stretch. Most of us are likely not as impoverished as Jesus’ mother was. Instead, we are generally well-off, especially compared to many people both in the United States and abroad. Abject poverty is a way of life for many around the globe. For them, just to be filled for one day would be a remarkable blessing.
However, Mary’s prayer remains one of hope for all. Even though our existence may not be as meager as hers, we nonetheless pray for the day when those who are hungry are filled even if it is at the expense of us who are rich. After all, all God’s children in every land deserve food for their tables and fulfillment in their lives – something most of us enjoy every day.
Perhaps, for us who have means, the choice is clear. Sharing, giving, generosity, and compassion are our callings. Rather than seeking to enlarge our portion, sharing it with others may be our best response. This season, hear again Mary’s words about the lowly and the rich, and determine how you can make a difference.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the bounty with which we are blessed. Teach me to use what You have given me to assist, help, and bring hope to those who need to be filled. Amen.