When Mary went to visit her relative Elizabeth, Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She then exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42 ESV). Elizabeth claimed that her baby leaped for joy at the sound of Mary and she said, “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (vs. 45).
Mary then broke out into a song of praise, beginning by saying, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant” (vs. 46, 47). This song is known by it’s Latin name, “The Magnificat” which means my soul magnifies the Lord. The word for magnify means to make great or large.
When we look closely at the birth narrative, it’s incredible that Mary had such faith in God. She believed what the angel told her about conceiving a child and becoming the mother of the Lord. Not only did Mary believe, but her soul actually magnified the Lord! She was determined to worship God in all that she did. Her song points not to her, but to God. It’s a song of praise for God’s goodness and holiness.