1
Samuel 1:24-28
Luke
1:46-56
This hymn in Luke's gospel is one of the most beautiful passages
of writing in all of the Scriptures. Placed within this holy week,
it serves as a reminder of what God has done, is doing and will do for
his chosen people. It reminds me to remember, sometimes in gentle
ways, sometimes in not-so-gentle ways of what the Lord has done for me
over the past year. During this time of the year, with all our preparations
for the celebration of Christmas, it is possible to lose sight of how the
Lord is working within us. We are yet again reminded to prepare for
the Lord's eventual return during a time of the year when we turn inward
to ourselves and our families and friends. Advent is not a "relaxing
or nesting" time--the Spirit is at work in the world and we should take
part in that work! The season asks us to take stock of our hearts,
our minds--our entire being--to see how we have responded to God's love.
How has the Lord "shown strength" in my life? Have I been part
of the "proud of heart," and have seen my follies exposed? Have I
acted with compassion and justice or not? This hymn can be a means
for examining how I have cooperated with God's love. But more than
that, the hymn helps me to focus on what is really important--how much
I am loved by the Lord and how I am to give that love to others.