The holiday season marks change for many
of us. Doubtless, it involves heartache and loss as well as Christmas joy. I
know it does for me.
Earlier this year, I lost my dearly loved
adopted aunt to cancer. Adjusting to life without her has been difficult –
particularly during the holidays. Not seeing her smiling face at church events
and Christmas plays has been a strange adjustment, filled with the sense of
aching loss that only those who have lost a loved-one can understand.
Yet, as the Lord often arranges it, He did
not just take this year – He gave as well. Earlier this year, He brought my
sweet boyfriend into my life. The joys have been indescribable.
I remember being congratulated on my new
relationship on the very day my aunt died. It was such a strange incident,
accepting warm congratulations while dealing with intense loss. I recall
mentioning how mysteriously the Lord works – how He often mingles joy in the
midst of our sorrows.
And, for some reason, I have not been able
to erase what is commonly known as the Magnificat from my mind. In
loss and in joy – the words have continually been with me.
In case you do not know,
the Magnificat is Mary’s words of praise to the Lord. She, too, was
faced with immense emotions. The joy of bearing the Savior of the world was
great. But so were other emotions – the sorrow of false accusation, the worries
of facing her betrothed, and the haunting reality she might perish under Jewish
law if no one believed her story. Yet, Mary sang praises to her God.
…And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, And
my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low
estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall
call me blessed. For he that is
mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy
is on them that fear him from generation to generation," (Luke 1:46-50 KJV).
Beautiful.
Reverent. In the midst
of her turbulent worries and joys, Mary was praising the Lord. Whatever came
her way, she knew God was in control and had a special purpose for her life.
She was humble, but she still publicly proclaimed her gratitude to Jehovah God,
rejoicing in what He had done in her life.
This Christmas, we, too, can proclaim our
gratitude. In loss, pain, loneliness, or even radiate happiness, words of
praise are for today. Like Mary, our joy may be mixed with worry or
uncertainties. Let us still magnify His name.
For
He has regarded us, and His mercy is from generation to generation.
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