Advent Devotional by Linda Armstrong

Luke 1:46-55

He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. (Luke 1:52)

Our family has spent several significant seasons of life living our faith in fellowship with Catholic and Anglican brothers and sisters, and it has always fascinated me how these traditions of worship have contemplated Mary. I have come to consider Mary a worthy subject of inspiration.

She was the first true Christian to put her faith in Jesus. She did not choose, but was chosen, to be a participant in God’s plan for salvation. Her song here leads us to several truths. As she meditates on God’s blessing to humanity, she rejoices in the humbling of the mighty and the proud and in the exaltation of the lowly. Her joy is not that the lowly will themselves be made the new powerful and proud. Rather it is that God will pour out his mercy on those who have not, or cannot, exalt themselves.

In our current age, there is so much energy and striving spent on the attempt to grasp control of the seats of power. This striving has even extended to those who call upon Jesus as their savior. And yet Mary’s praise reminds us of the true nature of God’s grace and mercy, and of ourselves. God’s mission to His created is not one of crusade or conquest, but one of compassion and salvation. Our blessing is not to seize the world, but to live in the assurance of God’s grace and mercy in the lowliest of circumstances. These are not forgotten; they are the focus of God’s love.   

Before the world met Jesus, Mary knew this. May we be helped in our remembrance of His mercy. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Linda Armstrong