Singing Mary's Song: An Advent Message of Hope and Deliverance

Soon after the angel Gabriel announced to Mary the astonishing news that she would bear the long-awaited Messiah, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was also expecting a child.

As Mary greeted Elizabeth, the child in Elizabeth's womb (John the Baptist) leaped inside her. Elizabeth exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you among all women. Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

Mary responded by singing a song of praise to God, commonly known as the Magnificat.

Her song, recorded in Luke 1:46-55, was not a sweet lullaby sung in anticipation of the baby Jesus' birth, Stroman says. Instead, it was a message of deliverance and hope.

Mary's song proclaimed deliverance and hope to a dark and fearful world. It continues to bring challenge and hope to us today.

Singing Mary's Song provides scripture readings, meditations, and prayers for each day of Advent. Each week's readings focus on various lines of Mary's song. Reflection questions are included each week.

This Advent study will give you new insight into the life of Mary. Listen closely to Mary's song and discover its message for you today. A great study for individuals or groups!

John A. Stroman is a retired United Methodist pastor who served for 40 years. Then he taught New Testament studies at Trinity Methodist Theological Seminary in Ghana, West Africa. John holds a doctorate in theology from Boston University School of Theology. He has written numerous books and articles in journals and periodicals. John and his wife, Vivian, live in Tallahassee, Florida, where he is a columnist for the Tallahassee Democrat.