Mary’s Praise: Justice, Joy & Jesus
Wonderful Christmas Series Part 1
When you think of Mary in the Christmas story, maybe you picture a calm woman with a glowing halo, holding baby Jesus in a peaceful nativity scene. But the real Mary wasn’t living in a peaceful Pinterest-perfect world. She was a young Jewish girl living under Roman oppression — broke, marginalized, and judged by society. And yet, when the angel announced that she would carry the Messiah, Mary responded with a song that shook empires.
Her song — the Magnificat — is a revolution wrapped in praise. It reveals a Savior who flips the world upside down, brings justice to the oppressed, and remembers His promises forever. And fam… that’s a Word for us today.
This season, we aren’t just celebrating a birth — we’re celebrating the arrival of liberation, mercy, and a Savior who refuses to ignore suffering.
Focus Scripture: Luke 1:46–55
A Sinner’s Praise — Because We Need a Savior
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46–47)
Mary didn’t sing because she thought she earned God’s favor — she sang because she needed God’s mercy. She was praising as someone who knew her own humble condition. She wasn’t adding to God’s greatness — she was pointing it out so everyone could see it clearly.
We praise like Mary when we say:
“God, You saved me — not because I’m perfect, but because You are.”
Even when…
Money is tight
Marriage feels like it’s breaking
Kids aren’t walking with Jesus yet
Intrusive thoughts keep us up at night
We can still magnify the Lord:
“Lord, thank You that You provide. Thank You that You hold me together. Thank You that You don’t waste my struggle.”
Mary proves our worship doesn’t need perfect circumstances — just a perfect Savior.
A Life of Humility — God Sees the Lowly
“He has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant.” (v. 48)
Mary wasn’t powerful. She wasn’t wealthy. She wasn’t even married yet. She was living at the bottom of society — a young woman under a shame-heavy system.
But God didn’t choose her despite her low position… He chose her because He delights in lifting the humble.
Mary didn’t focus on her fear of judgment, rejection, or even death.
She focused on God’s holiness and faithfulness.
We worship like Mary when we remember:
We were dead in sin… but Jesus made us alive.
We were hopeless… but God pulled us out.
We deserved wrath… but He gave mercy.
Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself — It’s thinking more about Him.
A Flipped Kingdom — Jesus Turns the World Upside Down
“He has toppled the mighty… exalted the lowly… filled the hungry… sent the rich away empty.” (vv. 52–53)
Mary’s praise is past-tense. As if God already did everything she’s singing about. Why?
Because she believed God’s promise was as good as done.
When Jesus arrives:
The proud are scattered
The lowly are raised
The oppressed are set free
The hungry are fed
The overlooked become chosen
This is the inbreaking of God’s Kingdom — The upside-down becoming the right-side-up.
So today…
We lay down pride
We tear down the thrones of selfishness
We lift up Jesus
We open our doors to those society blocks out
We don’t just celebrate the manger — We celebrate the mission that came with it.
Forever Faithful — He Has Not Forgotten You
“He has helped… remembering His mercy to Abraham and his descendants forever.” (vv. 54–55)
God remembered Mary. He remembered Israel. He remembered His covenant promises. And fam — He remembers you too.
Not “I-forgot-the-milk-after-leaving-the-store” remembering
But covenant-keeping, promise-fulfilling, never-stops-working remembering.
Every tear.
Every prayer.
Every quiet moment of survival.
God sees it. God values it. God remembers you.
And the story isn’t finished — Jesus is coming again to make all things new. Forever means forever.
Magnify Him Here & Now
Mary teaches us that praise is not reserved for perfect seasons.
We magnify the Lord:
When we feel low.
When justice feels delayed.
When oppression feels heavy.
When the world looks broken.
We praise the Lord because:
Jesus has come.
Jesus is coming again.
God is faithful now and forever.
Magnify Him — right where you are.
Let praise become your protest against darkness and your proclamation of the Savior who brings light.