December 2, Mary's Magnificent God.

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, for he has looked

on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me

blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for

those who fear him from generation to generation.

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.

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has set empty away.

He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy as he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his offspring forever. Luke 1, 46 to 55. Mary sees clearly a most remarkable thing about God.

He is about to change the course of all human history. The most important three decades in all

of time are about to begin. And where is God occupying himself

with two obscure, humble women, one old and barren, Elizabeth, one young and a virgin, Mary?

And Mary is so moved by this vision of God,

the lover of the lowly, that she breaks out in song,

a song that has come to be known as the Magnificat.

Mary and Elizabeth are wonderful heroines

in Luke's account.

He loves the faith of these women.

The thing that impresses him most, it appears,

and the thing he wants to impress on Theophilus,

...