For each of us, the past year came with unexpected news, significant changes, and an uncertain future. Christmas is an opportunity to renew our hope in God what he did in the incarnation for the world.
Early in Luke, an angel is sent by God to a priest serving in the temple. As he burned incense, an angel appeared to him and announced that his previously barren wife, Elizabeth, would soon give birth to a son. Zechariah responded with skepticism: “How shall I know this?” (Luke 1:18). Instead of rejoicing in what God promised to do, Zechariah focused on the impossibility of the situation. Consequently, the angel silenced Zechariah until John’s birth.
After some time, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and expressed her joy that the reproach of barrenness has been lifted from her. Again, she rejoices when she meets Mary, “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:24–25, 41–45). Elizabeth’s reaction tells us she honors God.
Then God sends the angel Gabriel to Mary who is betrothed to Joseph. Gabriel reveals that Mary would carry and birth the Son of God, the long-expected Davidic King. Mary responded with wonder: “How will this be?” (1:34). Mary’s question was full of possibility—Almighty God was going to do great things through her. The important detail is that Mary would conceive by the Holy Spirit, and her cousin Elizabeth was also with child. The angel concluded with a stirring statement of God’s power: “Nothing will be impossible with God” (1:37). Mary reflects on what God is doing in her hymn, the Magnificat, and describes herself as God’s “servant” (the repetition of servant, connects Luke 1:48 to 1:38) and of “humble state.”
Mary praises God her Savior because he looked upon her low social state and yet in love let her bear the Messiah. What God did for her is like what he does for others in the same state (Luke 1:52). God has given her a special place by having her bear the Messiah. Generations of all time will bless her, perceive her fortune in receiving this special role. Elizabeth’s blessing in Luke 1:45 is the first blessing that Mary receives as an exemplary servant touched by grace (11:28–29 is another). Luke presents Mary as an example of faith in God and a humble servant who is willing to do what God asks. Mary’s hymn, the Magnificat, is an initial characterization of God whose purpose shapes the rest of Luke’s story. Mary knows and trusts in God and what he is doing through the Son’s incarnation. Clinging to God and his promises renews hope. Do you need your hope in God renewed? Cling to his promises.