Mary Did You Know? (2/2)

Often times, the Sunday School lesson stops when the angel leaves Mary. However, the miraculous story continues even after angelic visitation. The Bible records that Mary hurried over to her relative and kin Elizabeth who was also with child. The often overlooked miracle here is that Elizabeth according to the Bible was past the age of child birth. Of course, God also helped Sarah, Abraham's wife, in her old age to also bear child so this miracle has happened before in the Bible. Mary's miracle on the other hand has never happened before! When Mary meets Elizabeth, her cousin filled with the Holy Spirit begins praising the Lord and blessing Mary. Again, here is another often unnoticed miracle, Mary just had an angelic visitation that no one else knew about, and yet Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit already knew that Mary would give birth to a child. Even the visitation, tells a story of God's mission namely that God works in mysterious ways! God also has the power to transform lives and often does so with those who have faithful and obedient hearts. Not only did the Story of Mary inspire a beautiful Christmas song, but God's mission also inspired Mary with a song! In fact, Mary's song is one of the most beautiful words of praise to God in Scripture. Mary's Magnificat begins with, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant." The penned words of Mary's praise song affirms God's constant search for faithful obedient hearts. Mary is truly an example of a humble servant who listen to her Lord. She offers up praise to God despite the uncertainty of being with a child as a virgin without being married to Joseph. Mary is a testimony of a missional youth, one filled with faith and obedience to carry out God's calling despite the obstacles.