The way of the Most High, the road less travelled, is the one that is exemplified in the Christmas events - the high and mighty are by-passed and put on notice that a new King has been born, a different kind of King. With his coming, "the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining" (1 John 2:8).
And within Mary's song of exaltation there is a statement of the most profound joy and lasting satisfaction for all who know their need: "He has filled the hungry with good things". By contrast, those whose trust is in their wealth, and are deceived by its riches, will be "sent empty away," finally betrayed by what held their trust. But those who are denied by the powerful, who see and own their inner poverty, who feel the desperation of a hunger that can only be met by knowing the living God - well, they will discover in the Lord the deepest reality of life in all its fulness.
This year has been harrowing for so many people and for all kinds of reasons. Emotionally, mentally, physically and economically, it has been a time of relentless stress and many have been stretched beyond breaking point. The deep anguish brought on by the pressures of the pandemic has taken the heaviest toll. And within the faceless statistics we are presented with each day are hungry souls, starving for hope and meaning and mercy. Mary's testimony, in these simple but sublime words, is that those who come to the Lord honestly seeking him in their hunger will be filled.
That isn't a promise of green pastures all the way. It isn't a cheap and cheerful façade behind which real sorrows have to be hidden. This is the promise of God that he will himself come and inhabit the human heart, to beautify the broken, restoring precious lives and making them glow, for "those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame." (Ps.34:5) Filled, finally, to the measure of all the fulness of God, in the shoreless ocean of his love.
Tasting and seeing even the smallest part of that glorious destiny, we say with Mary,
"My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour."
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Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his Name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age to same;
his holy Name--the Lord, the Mighty One.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and for evermore!
(Timothy Dudley-Smith, 1926-)
