December 14, 2021
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Mary’s Magnificat – Luke 1:46-49
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of the Almighty’s servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is God’s name.
Song of Hannah – 1 Samuel 2: 1-2
And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies because I rejoice in Your salvation.”
Can’t you feel something so profoundly alive when you read the responses of these two women when they were told how God was going to bless them with birth of sons who would change history forever?
JOY- this triumphant, deep-seated praise word shows up, in some form, 244 times in the Bible. It is born, not of the current circumstance in which we might find ourselves, but from relationship between Creator and Father, and created, daughter and son.
I remember singing choral arrangements of ‘Mary’s Song’ over the years, during which I knew Mary’s exultant joy.Giving birth to my children, oh, how I could relate to Mary and Hannah!
But what of “Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds”, (James 1:2) or “Rejoice always…in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”? (1 Thess. 5:16) SO much harder to dig deeper and to be reminded that we are never alone to face the unknown circumstances of our lives. Yes, the angels sang over Jesus’ birth, but God also rejoices over me with singing. Who knew?
Each new day, each new season, whether I’m listening to waves crash over the shore, walking through crisp leaves, looking up at a starry and moonlit sky, making snowmen with my grandchildren, I am aware of God’s comforting and constant presence. Like Mary and Hannah, I can know ‘unspeakable joy’.
Question: How do you experience JOY?
Prayer: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…where there is hatred, let me sow love, where there is despair, hope…and where there is sadness, joy.
Wynne Delaney loves life and those that share her life: husband Gord, daughter Heather, son Matthew and five grandchildren. She enjoys singing, travel, journaling, being outdoors, making connections with new people, and being an almost Christmas child!