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b'(Luke 1:46-56, taken from the Song of Hannah, 1 Samuel 2)\\n \\nLuke 1:46, \\u201cAnd Mary said: \\u2018My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed\\u2019\\u201d\\n\\nWhat are the events in life that make you want to sing? Can you remember a time when your heart was so filled with emotion that you just wanted to sing? In many ways singing is a natural reaction to the good things that happen to us in life. Today, as we examine this, Mary\\u2019s Life Song, let us try to identify with an expression of joy that comes not because of human achievements, but that comes from knowing the high favour and great mercy of our Heavenly Father. As we prepare for Christmas and look forward to celebrating our Saviour\\u2019s birth, let us learn from this humble woman that the birth of Jesus is God\\u2019s greatest gift to all mankind. Therefore, in every situation it gives us good reason to sing with \\u201cspirit and joy.\\u201d\\n \\n\\u201cBlessed are you among women...\\u201d (verse 42) But look at the preceding verses; \\u201cAt that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah\\u2019s home and greeted Elizabeth.\\u201d The angel\\u2019s words to Mary earlier presented her with some difficult decisions. As a woman pledged to be married, it would have been natural for Mary to want to immediately go and see Joseph, her future husband. Certainly, the birth of a child involves him as well. But instead she goes to see her cousin Elizabeth. Mary probably wanted the advice of an older wiser woman. After all, Joseph may not believe her.... \\u201cWhat do you mean an angel came to you at night? He told you what?\\u201d She could not go to anyone else because they would logically assume that Mary had cheated on Joseph, an offence punishable by death. The pressure on Mary to make a quick decision based on her emotions or circumstance would have been great. But that\\u2019s not what she did.'