Luke 1:26-38 records a conversation between the angel Gabriel and Mary. The birth of Jesus is foretold to this teenage girl: the Holy Spirit will overshadow and, though still a virgin, she will miraculously be with child. Gabriel concludes with these powerful words: “For nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary responds with confident faith in the God she loves, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)

Mary’s attitude is one of acceptance and humility.

She not only accepts this startling news, but writes a beautiful hymn of praise to God in response. These beautiful words, found in Luke 1:46-55, are known as Mary’s Song or The Magnificat (meaning “glorifies”).

Why does Mary have cause for praise?

She is a not-yet-wed teenager, engaged to a man but pregnant with a baby he knows is not his. In male-dominated first-century Jewish society, the possible consequences of Mary being found with child included death by stoning.

Most of us would describe her situation as difficult, at best. 

How does Mary respond? How would you have responded? What do we find Mary doing? 

Perhaps we learn more by what she is not doing:

• She is not wringing her hands.
• She is not wailing, “Why me?” or “What will people think?”
• She is not posting a question on Facebook about what to do.
• She is not camping out in the self-help section at Barnes & Noble.

Mary is praising God. Her first statement says it all: “My soul glorifies the Lord!”

Mary is not just surviving her crisis; she is thriving. And we, too, can thrive in challenging circumstances when we remind ourselves why we are here. Our purpose, as found in Isaiah 43:7, is this:  we were created to bring glory to God.

That fact is our true north when the storms of this life blow us off course. 

We were created to bring glory to God. That fact is our true north when the storms of this life blow us off course. Click To Tweet

You may not find yourself unwed and pregnant this Christmas, but perhaps time with family is challenging. Perhaps the holidays magnify the strain in relationships, and bring reminders of memories not made (or some you would like to erase).

Whatever your situation or circumstance, check your compass.

Take some time to get focused. Pray for the E.G.R. (“Extra Grace Required”) folks in your life and in your family. Ask God to help you own your contribution to the strained relationship. Pray some more. Ask Him to work through you to love them well and bring glory to Him. And then praise the One who made you.

As you acknowledge God’s gift of grace to you, it will be easier to release grace to others.

Even if you don’t say it with words, may your actions speak loudly, My soul glorifies the Lord!