23rd December 2022
There have been two versions of “Mary’s Song” that have been on my mind this advent.
The first is better known as the Magnificat, from the Gospel of Luke. The angel Gabriel has appeared to Mary, announcing that she will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a son. He will be the saviour of his people, king over the house of Jacob and David. Mary responds in song – as one does.
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.”
Luke 1.46–49 (NLT)
The second of Mary’s songs was written by Amy Grant and Chris Eaton. We are invited to imagine ourselves as Mary, travelling to Bethlehem on that first Christmas Eve. For some of us it requires rather more imagination than for others!
I have travelled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I’ve done
Holy father, you have come
And chosen me now to carry your son…
Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong, help me be, help me
© BMG Rights Management, Music Services, Inc
So take a few minutes to imagine that you were Mary and maybe see Christmas a little differently.
Ian Waddington
Tyndale’s Thought for the Day will return in January.