The Humble Exalted

December 16 (Luke 1:51-52)

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.  (ESV)

When Mary spoke the words of the poem and song that would come to be known as the “Magnificat,” she could not have fully understood all she was saying.  Like the prophets of old, she spoke of things that would come to pass as if they were already accomplished, for indeed, in God’s time, they were.

The birth of her son, Jesus, would scatter the proud and bring down the mighty.  It might have seemed just the opposite that day on Calvary’s dark hill, where the ruling powers of the world conspired to bring about the death of an innocent man, but little did the Romans and Jewish leaders know that the one they crucified would use his cross as the sword to conquer death itself.  In the triumph of Christ over sin and death, our Lord raised up all those sunk under their weight who would accept His gift of salvation.  Exalted to sit at His right hand with our Father in heaven, we no longer live in the low state of despair.

Is this what Christmas means to you?  Do you recognize it for what it truly is, the inbreaking of God into His own creation, to become part of it in order to redeem it?  Christmas is glorious indeed, but only because it is the pivotal turn in the cosmic story that ends with Easter.

As a special feature this month, each devotion will include a link to one of the many glorious, musical versions of the “Magnificat.”  Each one includes the Latin text as well.  This week’s selection can be found here.

Father, thank You for giving me an everlasting seat with You through the blood of Your Son.  I try to achieve many things through my own efforts, but truly my highest honor was won for me.  I thank You for the greatest of all gifts this Christmas, true life now and forever in Jesus.  Amen.

Copyright © 2018 by Steven R. Perkins