The song of praise that Mary wrote reads more like a song of revolution than a sentimental Christmas poem. Mary didn’t understand all the angel told her, and she was prone to doubt, worry, and fear like every sinner. But she did cling to what she knew: that this was no ordinary child in her womb. Her song tells of the wonder of it and of the wonder of the Lord.

This child would bring “down the mighty from their thrones” and scatter “the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.” He would save His people—including Mary!—from their sins, reversing sin’s curse and ruling the nations.

Mary could look back through the pages of God’s redemptive history, all the way back to the promise to Eve and the covenant with Abraham. She could see herself in that story. Now her rags-to-riches account has lived on through the ages, but not just because Jesus made her famous; it’s that she, like everyone who receives Jesus, was brought from death to life. And this is not only Mary’s journey. It’s the journey of everyone who encounters Jesus by faith.