A Southern Pastor: When Mary Lost Control And Said ‘I Like It’


“I’m so excited
And I just can’t hide it
I’m about to lose control and I think I like it”

Pointer Sisters – 1982

Have you ever been so excited that you just couldn’t control your joy, so happy that you found yourself humming and singing all day long? What kinds of things make you feel that joy, a day of fun with friends? Watching a beloved child at play? Getting a great deal on that new sweater you’ve been wanting? Your sports team won the game? Maybe a sweet text from someone you have a crush on?

There is no happiness like the contented happiness that causes our heart to burst into song. Music is not only an outlet for emotional expression it is also a tag to our long term memory. If we sing about it, we usually won’t forget it.

When Mary visited Elizabeth, her unborn child “leaped in her womb” at the sound of Mary’s voice. Then Elizabeth realized that Mary was pregnant too, and proclaimed her joy at Mary’s visit and the knowledge that Mary carried the Messiah. It was at this moment that Mary began to sing.

The song that Mary sang in joy to Elizabeth is known as Mary’s Song, or the Magnificat, and it is one of the oldest hymns in Christian history. In it, Mary offers praise to God for sending the yet unborn Messiah. She is so overwhelmed with the knowledge that a Savior is about to be born that she cannot contain her joy. It had to be released. I am certain she was dancing around and shouting as she welled up with emotion and released it in song.

When was the last time you were so overcome with joy that you had to dance and sing? “So excited that you just can’t hide it?” And how long has it been since you were that excited about the birth of Jesus?

This month we celebrate the birth of a Savior, a Messiah.  Not only was he born to a mere human, he would live his life and die so that each of us can be free. Jesus is OUR Savior! He died so that we might live! He brought us love and hope, and left us with the Holy Spirit to be our constant comfort and guide!

Get excited! Sing a Christmas carol! Volunteer to help others! Share love and the gift of yourself with everyone around you this Christmas season!

A Savior is born! I am overwhelmed with that knowledge. I’m so excited! Sing it!

Luke 1:46-55

46 Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord!

47     In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
48 He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
    Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored
49         because the mighty one has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
50     He shows mercy to everyone,
        from one generation to the next,
        who honors him as God.
51 He has shown strength with his arm.
    He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
52     He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones
        and lifted up the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away empty-handed.
54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
        remembering his mercy,
55     just as he promised to our ancestors,
        to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”

Feature Image from pixabay

Melanie Tubbs is a professor, pastor, mother, Mimi, and true Arkansas woman. She lives with nine cats and one dog on a quiet hill in a rural county where she pastors a church and teaches history at the local university. Her slightly addictive personality comes out in shameful Netflix binges and a massive collection of books. Vegetarian cooking, reading mountains of books for her seminary classes, and crocheting for the churches prayer shawl ministry take up most of her free time, and sharing the love of Christ forms the direction of her life. May the Peace of Christ be with You.