When God became man: Mary's song of praise

"And Mary said: 'My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed'" (Luke 1:46-48).

A hymn of glorious praise flowed from Mary following Elizabeth's Spirit-filled proclamation and blessing. This song, as recorded in Luke 1:46-55, is known as "The Magnificat."

In this passage, both Mary's humility before God and exaltation of Him stand out. These verses provide a basis for rejecting the role some have attributed to Mary as a co-redeemer or someone to whom Christians pray. She realized her need for a Redeemer, describing God as "my Savior." She saw herself as a "humble bondslave" who had been graciously favored by the Lord. Like every child of man, she was dependent on the grace of God. She was overwhelmingly grateful when she received it in this form.