
Preface for Pastors & Parents
This is a children’s sermon on Luke 1:46-55, “The Song of Mary,” also known as the “Magnificat” from the Latin of its first word. No, as I write, this text is not coming up in the lectionary for this Sunday.
It’s never the regular Sunday Gospel, but it does come up as a lectionary passage a couple of times. When might you hear it?
- It’s an optional addition to the reading on the fourth Sunday of Advent in year C.
- The Lectionary offers it as an optional “Canticle,” substituting for the appointed Psalm, on Advent 3 of years A or B, or on Advent 4 of years B or C.
- On “The Visitation,” when Mary stopped by the home of Elizabeth, it is part of the Gospel reading. But not too many churches have a service for that memorable day.
It’s kind of a shame. Honestly it is one of the most beautiful passages of the New Testament — and one of the most radical. Here is Mary, surprised to find herself pregnant, singing about what has happened because of the conception of this child. It isn’t just that because of Jesus the power structures of the world will be turned upside down. She sings that they already have been turned upside down.
Plus this is the passage that explains why Christians all through history and all around the world call her “the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
So a children’s sermon on Luke 1:46-55 is a chance to talk about some great stuff.
A Children’s Sermon on Luke 1:46-55
Good morning kids! I am so happy to see you. Thanks for coming up to hear the children’s sermon.
This morning’s reading from the Gospel is about something that happened before Jesus was born. He was still inside his mommy’s tummy. You probably remember the story of how the Angel Gabriel told Mary that she was going to have a baby — God’s very own son, Jesus.
A little bit later, the Bible says Mary went to visit her aunt Elizabeth. When Mary saw Elizabeth she was so excited that she started singing. She sang a brand new song — all the words are in the Bible, but not the tune.
I wonder sometimes how Mary had a whole brand new song to sing when she got to Elizabeth’s house. Here’s how I imagine it happening.
At Home in Nazareth
Mary was at home with her parents in the town of Nazareth. Her mom was named Anna, and her dad was named Joachim. They were at dinner one night and Mary said, “Mom and Dad, I think I’d like to go visit Auntie Elizabeth.”
“I don’t know, honey,” said her Anna. “Do you think that traveling is a good idea when you are expecting a baby?”
“Oh mom!” said Mary, rolling her eyes. “You never want to let me do anything. I’ll be fine. I’m not a child.”
“Your mom just wants you to be safe,” said Joachim. “But tell us, honey, why do you want to go see Auntie Elizabeth?”
“It’s so boring here,” Mary said. “And I’m worried.”
“Why are you worried, dear?” said Anna.
“It’s about being pregnant,” Mary said. “And not being married. What are the kids from my high school going to say? What if they say mean things? It will be easier if I go where nobody knows me.”
Joachim thought about it for a minute. Then he said, “Okay, Mary. You make a good point. But I’m going to travel with you and make sure you get there safely.”
On the Road
So the next day, Mary and her dad started their long journey. They had to travel south about 60 miles from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea.
Their donkey carried the baggage, and if Mary didn’t feel well enough to walk, she could ride.
Mary and her dad had lots of time to talk.
“I’ve been wondering,” said Joachim the first day. “How do you feel about what’s happening to you? I mean, I know it isn’t easy. Does it kind of make you mad? Or sad? You don’t get to be an ordinary kid anymore.”
“Oh no, dad,” Mary said, “I’m not mad. You’re right, it isn’t easy. But mostly when I think about it, it’s just amazing! I’m so full of big feelings — It’s like when I think about God now, he just gets bigger and bigger.”
“Umm, honey,” said Joachim, “I think God is always the same size.”
“I know, Dad,” said Mary, “but it’s like my soul makes God seem bigger. My soul is all full of glad feelings — full of joy.”
“Okay,” said Joachim, “but it seems like God is almost picking on you. Making your life extra hard.”
“But that’s the thing, Dad,” Mary said. “I feel like it’s such a huge honor. God looked on little old me in dinky boring Nazareth and he chose me. It’s like God smiled especially on me!”
“I see,” said her dad. “But you were still so worried about what our neighbors would say.”
“Yeah.” she said. “But I think later they’ll look back and see it differently. Eventually everybody is going to know that I’ve been totally blessed.”
Day Two
When they started out on their second day on the road, Joachim asked, “So how are you feeling today, honey? Still feeling blessed?”
“My feet are sore,” said Mary. “But yes, I keep thinking about what great things God has done for me. Not just this miracle baby. But God always gives me lots of wonderful things. Like you and mom — I’m so grateful God gave me my family.”
“That’s such a lovely thing to say, Mary,” said her dad.
“It’s true!” she said. “God has done so many great things. for me. It all just reminds me of how wonderful, and generous, and loving God is. There’s nobody like God!”
“That’s true,” said Joachim. “Though still, life is awfully hard for so many people.”
“Even so,” said Mary, “when God reaches out and acts, you sort of can’t miss it. Like the Bible says about when our people came out of slavery in Egypt, God acted ‘with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm!’ Now it seems like God has reached out his powerful arm again.”
“Well, yes,” said her dad, “this is certainly an unusual thing God has done.”
“Dad, it’s huge!” said Mary. “It’s the kind of thing that reminds you that God is always there, full of love and mercy.”
Day Three
The morning of the third day, Joachim said “Looks like we’re about halfway there. How are You feeling?”
Mary said, “I feel like God has turned the whole world upside down!”
“Umm, what I meant was, are your feet okay?” Joachim asked. “We’ve walked maybe thirty miles in two days.”
“Oh, right,” said Mary, smiling. “Yeah, they’re sore, but I’ll be alright. No blisters or anything.”
When they’d walked a couple hours, Joachim asked, “What was that about the world turning upside down?”
“It’s like this, Dad,” she said, “If God chose little me to bring his Son into the world, that’s totally upside down. I’m just a poor kid from a small town.”
“Okay,” said her dad. “God is starting with you.”
“But Dad,” she said, “that means God didn’t start with the emperor in Rome, or with rich people in Jerusalem. It’s like God has tossed them off their thrones!”
“I suppose God will help out the rich and powerful too eventually,” Joachim said. “He always does.”
“It always looks like that,” Mary said, “but I think the rich just help themselves. They are so proud, so full of themselves. I don’t think they’ll ever find their way to following someone born of a poor girl from Nazareth. They’ll be completely lost.”
“Now let’s not be too judgmental, honey,” said Joachim.
“I’m just saying what God has done,” said Mary, “He’s filled up the poor people with good things. He’s sent the emperor and all the other rich people away with nothing!’
“Alright, Mary,” Joachim said, “calm down. We’ve got a long walk ahead.”
Mary sighed and said “Dad!”
Day Four
On the fourth day, Joachim said “I think we’ll get there by this evening.”
“Whew!” said Mary. “That’s good news.”
“You know, Mary,” Joachim said, “I’m a little concerned about some of the things you’ve been saying. It sounds a little… self-centered. I know God made you the mom of his Son, but it isn’t all about you.”
“I’m not saying ‘its all about me,’” Mary said. “What God has done in me is about all of us. This is about what God promised long ago to Abraham and Sarah. God’s promise is forever. And now God is making it happen through my baby,”
Meeting Elizabeth
Well, they did get to Auntie Elizabeth’s house that evening. When Mary met her they hugged. They were so happy to see each other! And then, Mary started to sing.
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.(Luke 1:46-55, NRSV-AE)
Wondering
I wonder if Mary always felt the same way about being chosen to be Jesus mom?
l wonder if you’ve ever felt so happy you just wanted to sing?
I wonder how Jesus wants to turn things upside down in our world?
++++++++++++
You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.
- You can let me know that you are using it, either in the comments below, or using the contact form above.
- You can put a little notice in your church bulletin that your children’s sermon is adapted from one published on GaryNealHansen.com.
- You can support my work over on Patreon. (Just $1 per month brings my children’s sermons straight to your inbox about two minutes after they go live. And every little bit keeps me going…)
Leave a Reply