The Scripture for Sunday - The Song of Mary: A Song of Trust

Some of our best memories of Christmas involve singing some of our favorite songs and carols. Whether they’re secular or sacred, they remind us of the reason for the season and the sheer joy that’s possible during this very special time of year. And so, with that in mind, we’re going to spend some time talking about the "Great Songs of Christmas” but not necessarily the ones we associate with this holiday. Instead, we’ll look at some of the advent songs from the Bible, passages that had meaning then and can have meaning right now. During four weeks, we’ll consider the following:

• December 1 - The Song of Zechariah: A Song of Praise
• December 8 - The Song of Mary: A Song of Trust
• December 22 - The Song of the Angels: A Song of Joy
• December 29 - The Song of Simeon: A Song of Hope

During the service on Sunday, December 8, we'll use Luke 1:46–55 to better understand the song of Mary: a song of trust. Below is the passage in three different translations. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).  You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.

Luke 1:46-55 [Contemporary English Version]

Mary's Song of Praise

46  Mary said:

With all my heart

    I praise the Lord,

47 and I am glad

    because of God my Savior.

48 God cares for me,

    his humble servant.

From now on,

all people will say

    God has blessed me.

49 God All-Powerful has done

great things for me,

    and his name is holy.

50 He always shows mercy

to everyone

    who worships him.

51 The Lord has used

    his powerful arm

to scatter those

    who are proud.

52 God drags strong rulers

    from their thrones

and puts humble people

    in places of power.

53 God gives the hungry

    good things to eat,

and sends the rich away

    with nothing.

54 God helps his servant Israel

and is always merciful

    to his people.

55 The Lord made this promise

    to our ancestors,

to Abraham and his family

    forever!

Luke 1:46-55 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

Mary’s Song of Praise

46 And Mary[a] 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.”

Footnotes

[a] 1.46 Other ancient authorities read Elizabeth

Luke 1:46-55 [Amplified Bible]

The Magnificat

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord,

47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48 “For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant;

For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God!

49 “For He who is mighty has done great things for me;

And holy is His name [to be worshiped in His purity, majesty, and glory].

50 “And His mercy is upon generation after generation

Toward those who [stand in great awe of God and] fear Him.

51 “He has done mighty deeds with His [powerful] arm;

He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones,

And exalted those who were humble.

53 “He has filled the hungry with good things;

And sent the rich away empty-handed.

54 “He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy,

55 Just as He promised to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his descendants forever.”