Mary’s Magnificat completes the story of the visit between Mary and Elizabeth. Although Elizabeth was the first to hear the beautiful words, had Mary sung it in her heart before? Did the refrain “My spirit rejoices in God my savior” match her steps on the road to Ein-Karim? Did the clip-clop of the donkey provide a cadence for “holy is his name”? Along the miles did Mary remember God’s many “promises of mercy”? I cannot imagine the beauty of the soul of Mary—she the one whom “all generations will call . . . blessed.” There would be at least thirty years ahead of her—years filled with all the emotions of a wife and mother. Some days would be excruciatingly difficult; many would be filled with joy. Her faith knew that God would always “come to the help of his servant” Mary. No matter what the day held, I imagine that Mary always found a way to proclaim “the greatness of the Lord.”

As Advent comes to a close and last-minute Christmas preparations fill the day, ask Mary to help you recognize “the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.”