Luke 1:51-55 -
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
This is part of Mary’s song of praise, commonly called The Magnificat. Notice how many lines here start with ‘he.’ The focus is on the work of the Lord even though she will be the one with the privilege of carrying the Christ. Mary’s song fits the pattern of Christ not being born in some exalted state, but rather born in lowliness, so that he will identify with the lowly in heart. God loves those who come to him in humility and show their need of him. Whenever we read in the Bible of the Lord’s remembrance or that God remembered something, it’s never that God forgot, or could forget. He is of course all knowing. A paraphrase might be, “God acted according to his nature.” This is who he is - God is merciful, so of course, he has shown mercy upon his people Israel by sending the Savior, just as he promised he would.
This memory also emphasizes that the promises have come from long ago. Abraham was told in one of the most famous passages of the Old Testament, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3) Through this family line, through Abraham’s line, down through the line of David, every nation of the world would be blessed. Jesus would come from the people of Israel not just for the people of Israel - but for the whole world, for anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord (Rom. 10:9). God said he would do it - he would put forward an answer to sin - and he did, and his name is Jesus.
Hymn for Reflection: See, Amid the Winter Snow. Here’s a Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFDBS665HjE