Luke 1:26-39 gives us the account of the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary to tell her that she would become pregnant, even though she was a virgin.  This stunned and confused Mary, who most believe was a young teenager at this time.  We read “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:” (Verses 30-32).  What a great responsibility and privilege was given to this young woman.  It is so amazing that Mary submitted herself to the Lord and said in verse 38, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”  Her life would never be the same!

Luke 1:39-56 tells us that Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant with her son, John the Baptist. (Read Luke 1:5-25).  Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months before returning home. (Verse 56).  Upon entering Elizabeth’s home, we read in Luke 1:41-45, “And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”  What a divine occurrence.  When Mary entered Elizabeth’s presence, her unborn baby, John, leaped in her womb at the presence of the unborn baby Jesus in Mary’s womb. It is good to point out at this time that the angel of the Lord had told Elizabeth’s husband, Zacharias, in Luke 1:15, “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and HE SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, EVEN FROM HIS MOTHER’S WOMB.”

When this occurred, we then read in Luke 1:46-47, “And Mary said, MY SOUL DOTH MAGNIFY THE LORD, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”  Both Mary and Elizabeth were pregnant.  Elizabeth was very old, and Mary was very young, yet they both were used to bring forth Jesus and John the Baptist.  I can only imagine the event here when these two women were together.  It is no wonder that Mary made such a proclamation.  She spoke of her soul, which indicates her entire being.  I’m reminded of Psalm 103:1 which says, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME, bless his holy name.”

She MAGNIFIED the Lord.  Here, to magnify means to make great, to exalt, to praise, to celebrate. It does not mean to make the Lord great, but to increase in her estimation of Him.  At this point, the Lord became so great in the life and heart of Mary.  He became more important to her.  He was elevated to such a great place in her soul.   I believe, this is the only way in which God can be magnified or made great.  Strictly speaking, nothing can be added to God, for he is infinite and eternal; therefore, the way to magnify him is to acknowledge and rejoice in those acts in which He has manifested His greatness.

Mary REJOICED in God, her savior.  For those who consider Mary to be sinless, it is important to note here that she realized God was her savior, for he had saved her from her sins.  It is right that we should think of her as “blessed.”  We read the words of Mary in Luke 1:48, “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”  She was blessed and she was greatly used of the Lord, yet she was born in sin just like we all are.  She understood she was a sinner and needed a savior and acknowledged God as her savior.  (CC)  (661.6)