4. “What are you listening to?” *

Luke 1:39-56

The last prophet of the old covenant is in Elizabeth’s womb. The incarnate Lord who will bring the new covenant is in Mary’s womb. They meet. Boom!

An incredible moment in the history of God’s plan for humanity - and it happens in the wombs of an old lady and a young virgin. When God moves He frequently does so in ways that leave no room for doubt - only God could orchestrate this meeting.

We saw in 1:15 that the baby in Elizabeth’s womb was filled with the Holy Spirit, something that only happens to a person. Another clear statement of personhood in the womb is the fact that the prenatal John in Elizabeth’s womb can also experience joy. A bunch of cells can’t experience joy. Only a person can do that.

This calls for a song. Songs are so important that the Bible has 150 of them like a beating heart in its centre. Songs bring joy, songs bring hope, songs evoke memories that can transport you decades back in time in just a few minutes - “a melody glued to the memory that you can’t shake when it comes on” **. How people get through life without music baffles me - it’s one of God’s greatest gifts to us.

Singing is good for you. It releases endorphins – hormones that release feelings of pleasure and euphoria. Apparently singing can improve your overall brain function, lower your blood pressure, develop your lungs and improve your posture and memory.

Singing brings strength to our souls in times of trial. In Acts 16 Paul and Silas have been unjustly imprisoned for the sake of the gospel and at midnight they’re singing. Throughout history Christians have found strength in singing to the Lord through famous old spirituals like “Let My People Go” or “Mary Don’t You Weep” and protest songs like “We Shall Overcome”. There is tremendous power in singing together through challenging times.

Mary had her special songs. Tunes she could reach for in a moment when she needed them. As she bursts out in the spontaneous worship that we now know as the Magnificat we can see her songwriting influences, with the primary one being a songwriter called Hannah who sang her heart out at another God-given miraculous birth of a child called Samuel (1 Sam 2). It’s worth comparing the two songs.

Mary’s song contrasts the posture of God towards two types of people:

(1) God is mindful of the humble and lowly, who experience His mercy and His great deeds as He fills them, lifts them up and helps them.

(2) The proud and arrogant are scattered, brought down and sent away empty.

This is a song about reversal.

A song about justice.

“Finally the tables are starting to turn. Poor people gonna rise up and get their share.” ***

In fact, E Stanley Jones called it “The most revolutionary document in the history of the world.”

So, “we wait for Kingdom come, with the radio on.” ****

Ponder: Do you sing enough? What are your songs? What tables need to be turned in your life?

* “What Are You Listening To?” - Chris Stapleton

** “I’m A Song” - Stephen Wilson Jr.

*** “Talkin’ About A Revolution” - Tracy Chapman

**** “Mae” - The Gaslight Anthem