Questions for a Quiet Christmas #20

We're looking at Luke 1, and God's preparation of these women, Elizabeth and Mary, who were integrally involved in the coming of Christ. Their reflections are instructive for us as we ponder the questions of Christmas:

46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

That last verse alone poses a thought: Mary spent, if you will, three months in isolation, staying with her relatives, before moving on with her marriage. She had a lot of time to think, to meditate on it all. God has given us more time this year than normal to think/ponder/meditate on His plan. Are we using this time He has given us? It may be to learn more, or just to come to a place of fuller trust and obedience, but we have no excuses for not growing during this time.  So what does Mary say in this song we call The Magnificat, this song of celebration? She is overwhelmed at the blessing of God - on her and on her people. Yes, she might be gossiped about; life might be awkward; there would be no more "normal" life for her.  Her people would still be under the iron rule of Rome. But those things pale in comparison to her blessings as the mother of the Messiah and the mercy God was showing His people.  Are we dwelling on God's blessings and mercy? Or are we stuck on what we want, what things were like, what we do not have? Read Mary's words over and over. Can you identify? What phrases spark a flame in your life? Magnify the Lord!