Wednesday, December 24, 2025

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.  Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed.”  Luke 1: 46-48

As children we loved to go to my father’s workshop and play with all of the treasures held on the benches and jars and boxes.  One of my favorites was a box of magnifying glasses.  I’m not sure why they were there, or where they came from.  I, frankly, don’t think I ever saw dad use them, but my sister and I would go all around the house and the meadow behind the house magnifying anything in our path.  

Mary, a young Jewish woman, has been visited by an angel whose God message changed her world.  I imagine her as overwhelmed and afraid, but maybe, slowly, also excited and curious.   Faith feels like that sometimes doesn’t it?  Overwhelming.  Maybe even a bit scary in what it calls us to do and to be in the world.  

Mary goes to visit her cousin, Elizabeth.  Pregnancy, and faith, call us into relationship, I think.  Who else is going through all the stages, asking the same questions, experiencing the fear and the excitement? 

Elizabeth rejoices!  Was she the first to show joy at Mary’s announcement?  Did she allow Mary finally to sing the song of her heart?  The song that magnifies- notices- makes big- what God has done and is allowed her to participate in.

In this Advent season, as we prepare to tell the familiar birth story of our God, what are we noticing?  Where do we see God?  What do we see God doing in our lives?  Are we filled with enough excitement that we are magnifying God in our lives?  

My sister and I made sure that everyone in our home heard about what we had seen on our magnifying glass adventures!  We didn’t ask if they were interested. We just knew in our hearts that these were things to be told!  I pray now, in Advent, that I might find the same joy in what God is doing.   That when I see God, I cannot wait to magnify what I see and sing my joy to proclaim God my Savior in a life of faith.  

Loving God, you look upon us with loving favor, inspire us by this blessing to live lives that notice your presence and magnify your goodness as we notice and love one another.  Amen.

The Rev. Ghislaine Cotnoir (she/her) is Director of Pastoral Care- Artman Home and The Hearth at Drexel