Monday 22nd December 2025
Fiona Burnett
“From now on all people will call me happy …”
Luke 1:48b (GNB)
Mary’s faith
We’re nearly there: only three more sleeps till the big day. And the excitement is mounting, especially with little ones around. But today’s reading takes us back a few months to the beginning of Mary’s pregnancy when she visits her cousin Elizabeth. Her words of praise and thanksgiving are recorded in what we refer to as the Magnificat. Verse 48 in most translations reads ‘from now on all generations will call me blessed’ but the Good News Bible has it as, “from now on all people will call me happy”.
The word happy sounds a bit strange to me in this context. Blessed is maybe better, but in a culture where being an unmarried mother was not acceptable, never mind the dangers of childbirth without modern medicine, happy and blessed are perhaps not the words that I would have chosen to describe Mary’s situation. Yet she is full of praise for God who she reminds us was there with his people throughout history and is there in her journey. Mary has absolute faith in God, and that faith carried her through all the trials and tribulations of a remarkable life.
And she was right: we do remember her as being blessed.
For many people Christmastime is not the joyful and happy season that is portrayed in the endless TV adverts. It can bring back memories of past traumas or accentuate feelings of loneliness and isolation. When everyone else seems to be celebrating and having a good time, it is difficult to escape and not feel left out. Not everyone wants to be invited to join a family gathering but a wee present or act of kindness may make all the difference at this time.
Mary’s story reminds us that the range of events leading up to the first Christmas did not always represent a joyful or happy time. But that period of waiting did lead to something truly remarkable and life-changing.
Helping someone to feel loved and special this Christmas might just be the best present you give this year.
Shall we pray?:
Gentle God, in the birth of Jesus you show us your world-changing Love. Help us to share it with our neighbours, young and old, this Christmas. Amen.
Fiona Burnett is an elder in the Parish of Upper Tweeddale and a worship leader in West Tweeddale congregation. She also convenes the Presbytery of Lothian and Borders’ Mission Committee.