Advent Wonder #2:  
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

Mary was probably about fifteen years old when the Angel Gabriel approached her with the news of a child’s birth. At the time, it was hardly welcome news. She was engaged to Joseph but not married. In a moment she became an unwed pregnant teenage girl, open to gossip and speculation. According to the Torah, she could be stoned: her life, and her unborn child’s life, were in Joseph’s hands. Physically, her body would never be the same again after the rigours of pregnancy and childbirth. The destiny of her child would provoke jealousy from earthly rulers such as Herod.  Her life had been mapped out with Joseph creating a family with economic security, but now everything hung in the balance. So how does Mary react? Her response is generous. She surrenders her plans and her future and plunges her life into uncertainty.

Yet, in the midst of great unknown she composes a song of praise and worship: the first song ever composed about Jesus’ birth. It is a song of generosity. It is a song that speaks of her understanding of who her son is. It begins, ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.’ (Luke 1:46)

Mary is the first person to experience authentic salvation - the good news – and she proclaims it extravagantly.
What songs will you sing at Christmas time? Will your voice echo Mary’s, remembering and rejoicing in the ‘mighty things’ (Luke 1: 49) he has done for you? Are you surrendering to his plans?