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\\u201cAnd Mary said: \\u201cMy soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me\\u2014holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation\\u201d (Luke 1:46-50).

Later, Jesus would say, \\u201cWhere two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them\\u201d. Maybe, this little gathering of aged Elizabeth, silent Zechariah, and young Mary was the seed of that declaration. How often did young Jesus ask Mary to tell him about those angel visitations that heralded his coming? How did the telling of the story shift and grow as Mary pondered these things in her heart, responding to the questions her young son must have asked?

But now, as she sat at Elizabeth\\u2019s table drinking tea and eating hot bread, the realization erupted in song, \\u201cGod is here, God is at work.\\u201d She was not crazy; God is doing what God does. Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary, if ever there were \\u201ctwo or three gathered in his name\\u201d it was these three, pondering together the wondrous mystery God had them involved in.

And so, Mary sings. God was mindful of her humble state, aware of her and her low place in society. She could have been just one more nameless, faceless peasant girl from an unnoticed little village. But God noticed her, called her by name and gave her the most unique place in the history of all mothers. What can she do but sing!

She invites us all to take God at his word and be amazed at his involvement with the details of our lives. God owes us nothing; but we who have trusted Christ owe him everything. As the child leaped in Elizabeth\\u2019s womb, so should our hearts leap in us as we consider the many blessings we receive. God does what he says, and he has promised us much.

Mary invites us to expect a reversal of fortune and a deliverance. Whatever our lot in this sinful and fallen world, those who fear God can expect vindication. For all those who are marginalised by the world. For all those who are left to fend for themselves, without any security for tomorrow. To these Mary sings and says, \\u201cThere is hope. Look what God has done for me: a poor unknown young girl from an unknown town from a forgotten family of King David, God has visited me.\\u201d

And that is how God works. And Jesus showed this over and over: just ask the widow of Nain, whose son he raised from the dead; just ask Mary the prostitute; just ask the lepers; just ask the blind and the deaf; just ask.... To all like these Mary says, \\u201cDon\\u2019t give up hope. Put your trust in God. Put your trust in Jesus.

His promise is that he will lift the humble and pull down the arrogant and the proud. As these three (Zechariah not having much to say) talked, Mary recognized that through the son growing in her womb, God would bring peace to the world. This peace would only come when the arrogant were removed from their thrones.

Mary\\u2019s song is one of hope. Of faith. This is what God is doing through Jesus. In church language, it\\u2019s called the Magnificat. Find some versions and listen, again and again. Let the words fill you with hope and inspire your faith. The good news of Christmas is that during a great darkness there came a light, and the darkness was not able to overcome the light. It was not just a temporary flicker. It was and is an eternal flame.

Though you walk in darkness, may you see the great light. Though you live in a land of deep shadows\\u2014may you see light! sunbursts of light! May God increase your life, expand your joy. May you be glad in his presence! May God give you the joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings (cf. Isaiah 9:2-3 MSG).