Mary’s Magnificat: A Hymn for Caregivers
Somewhere in all the seasonal retellings of the Nativity, I was re-reading Luke 1 and the story of Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel, and her subsequent encounter with Elizabeth, which prompted the song we’ve come to know through history as “Mary’s Magnificat”, and it hit me - Mary’s story is a caregiver story.
I realize she was the earthly mother of Jesus, perfect God incarnate, which makes her story much different from ours. But many of the themes otherwise are for us caregivers.
Life Interrupted
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.” (Lk 1:26–27, ESV)
From any normal outsider’s perspective, Mary was just a normal girl planning a wedding. Betrothal was serious business in those days, and legally binding. Joseph and Mary had plans and certainly weren’t expecting the interruptions to come. I know every caregiver out there understands what it’s like to have their life plans suddenly altered.
“…And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Lk 1:28-30)
We affirm, and will always affirm, that caregiving is a sacred calling. However, at its outset and at many points along the way, the calling itself is deeply troubling. Mary’s first response is not joy and adulation, it is deep concern. “…what sort of calling might this be?”. Mary’s question is our question, and thankfully is one that God isn’t silent in responding to.
“…And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Now, I realize at this point the parallels break down a bit. Mary had the singularly important calling of mothering and caring for the Savior of the world. While we serve and care for our loved ones, they are not Jesus. And sometimes, depending on the cognitive or behavioral dynamics of their condition, that fact is painfully obvious.
But have you thought about what might be going through Mary’s head at this point? I’m just a girl, how in the world can I be good enough to mother the Messiah? How many million ways can I mess this up? How will I know the right decisions as His parent, and what if I fail to protect Him adequately? At its core, these are the same kinds of questions we grapple with as we bear responsibility for the wellbeing of our dependents.
“And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
For Mary, this was the penultimate problem. All the other inadequacies aside, there was a significant issue - Mary was a virgin. What Gabriel was announcing was not only physically impossible, but there were so many cultural implications here. Who in the world would believe her story? What kind of impact would this have on Joseph? Would it sink his business? Would he separate from her? Or worse, would he take legal action against her - as would have been customary?
When caregiving is thrust upon us, it is never convenient, it is never practical, and it will and does affect every social and cultural aspect of our lives. The “impossibilities” stack up in our minds, and seem to continue to confront us at every turn.
But there is hope…
The Miraculous in the Mundane
The definition of “Mundane” (according to Merriam Webster):
1) of, relating to, or characteristic of the world.
2) characterized by the practical, transitory, and ordinary.
Mary was ordinary. Joseph was ordinary. Elizabeth (Mary’s relative) was ordinary. Their challenges, concerns, and impossibilities were also ordinary - and characteristic of this world. But with any calling, God is prepared with supernatural and extraordinary resources.
“And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’”
One thing that’s often overlooked in this very familiar exchange between Gabriel and Mary, is that part of the supernatural provision for Mary is an actual human somebody-else to share the journey with! Elizabeth also had her own impossible set of circumstances, and a not-so-different calling and set of caregiver responsibilities thrust upon her (at a much more advanced stage of the life game). I love how God does this. He gives us someone to share the journey with.
Caregiving can be a lonely calling. We’ve talked often about how isolating it can be. It doesn’t need to be that way. We are fortunate to have a caregiver care group at Providence Church to allow caregivers to connect and encourage one another in their own impossible sets of circumstances. There are many great resources on line as well for connecting with other caregivers (please check out our “Practical Resources” page for some possibilities). Part of God’s miraculous provision for you, caregiver, is a someone else who can share in your journey and understand your burden. I believe with all my being that these co-laborers are out there and a connection is waiting for you, if you are feeling very alone.
Mary’s response to all this news is an example for every one of us throughout history who have been confronted with the informal family caregiving calling:
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word”
Song of Hope
Mary’s story takes her to a visit with Elizabeth, where the encounter of two like-minded and like-heartened women leads to a Holy Spirit moment. The outcome is an ecstatic outburst by Mary, which has become known as “Mary’s Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-55).
It is the ultimate song of thanksgiving, trust, and hope. But one line in particular especially resonated with me through our caregiving journey:
“He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.”
Are you feeling low, deflated, exhausted, and “hungry”? Good News, the baby Mary bore didn’t stay a dependent. He did, however, assume the lowest human role possible, submitting Himself to death for our sins, but then raising to life to insure eternal victory over both sin and death. And that same power demonstrated by an empty tomb, is the Holy Spirit power available to us - the “strength of his arm”.
We can hope and trust in His power over the impossible. “For nothing will be impossible with God”. And in Jesus, is every resource of strength, perseverance, and hope you need to not only survive caregiving, but to thrive as his humble, called, and willing servant.
Truly, Merry Christmas to you - and special prayers for peace and joyful transformation in your holiday season.
