The Example of Mary

by Edwina Biron
December 16, 2019

Read Luke 1:46-55
Luke 1:46-47 
“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

I was raised in Waycross, Georgia and attended Waycross First United Methodist Church my whole life until I moved away for college. I always sang in the choir. My earliest memory is when I was 5 years old and sang “Away in a Manger” very loudly, apparently. When I was a teenager, I was Mary in a Christmas music pageant, and I still remember the song I sang: 

“Sleep my child, dear baby Jesus. 
Sweet scented hay, a pillow for your head. 
Even now, as you lie sleeping, 
Angels watching, keep by your bed.” 

During those years growing up in the church, there were many times when I didn’t want to do what was asked of me by the adults at church, such as reading scripture or a prayer during worship, or singing a solo. It seemed so difficult. I think about the huge responsibility God asked of Mary and how she accepted it so willingly and graciously, for she said she was a servant of God. Even now as an adult, my daily life can overwhelm me and stress me out such that I forget that I am a servant of God. During Advent, Mary’s Magnificat reminds me that I should rejoice and reflect the love of God to others in everything I do. 

Prayer: O God, keep us mindful of your steadfast love and generous spirit. Help us follow the example of Mary, who was faithful to you and brought into this world, your ultimate gift of love, Jesus Christ. Amen.