NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

We have a record of what Mary said to God, likely prayed it to God, yet it is almost poetic in nature, refined by a middle teens child, more a woman at that age than overindulged contemporary girls now. She worked, hauled water, firewood, gardened, cooked soup, gathered eggs, baked bread, washed clothes by hand. She had seen other women give birth. She knew how babies came. She was in the betrothal year of an arranged marriage when Gabriel, an angelic creature convincingly communicated with her. Her childlike faith believed his forecast that she would now bear an adult-sized responsibility. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13). She was unfamiliar with those words, which were written five decades later by Paul whose life was transformed by the person to whom Gabriel announced she would give birth. She did however understand the inner peace about which Paul would write. The conception of the embryo within her without human impregnation was incomprehensible then even as it is now. Gabriel told her, "nothing is impossible with God." She told Gabriel, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." And it was.

 Mary's Song / 1:46-53pp -- 1Sa 2:1-10

46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

This expressive prayer in Luke 1:46-53 is like a song, sung during Mary's three-month stay with Elizabeth who was also carrying a child in her womb. They conferred and supported one another when Mary learned that Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah, a priest, were expecting a remarkable child as well, someone who would be filled with the Spirit of God from birth, who would one day turn the hearts of adults and children to God so they could be ready for - for what? For the appearance of the holy one that would be born by Mary, the one who would be called the Son of God. The one to whom Elizabeth's unborn baby responded by abrupt movement in her body at the presence of pregnant Mary. Now Mary's spirit delightedly sang to the LORD God in whom she rejoiced and whom she glorified because despite her modest upbringing and place in this world, she perceived that her name would forever be honoured through association with the Mighty One who would be born from her body. She was cognizant of the weight of this drama, that the God who had spoken to Abraham, and had chosen Israel for his people, and prescribed world events was using her to incarnate the Saviour who would convey the knowledge of salvation and forgiveness of sins. She could not foresee the cross. Thirty plus years later after her heart was broken by the violence done to her son, God's Son, and she saw him alive once again, risen and walking and talking, she must have once again said with the clarity of one who has now seen the big picture, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."