Christmas and Work: Celebrating God the Worker  

In the Christmas narrative of Luke, Mary was visited by an angel who revealed that she would give birth to “the Son of the Most High” (1:32). Mary received this revelation by offering herself as “the Lord’s servant” (1:38). The last study focused on the inspiration of Mary’s obedience. Today, we continue on in the story.

Shortly after Mary’s visit from the angel, she set off for the home of her relative Elizabeth, who was also expecting a baby of miraculous origin (though ordinary conception). When Mary greeted Elizabeth, Elizabeth’s baby “leaped in her womb” and Elizabeth proclaimed that Mary was “blessed . . . among women” (1:42).

In response, Mary offered spoken praise to God, a personal psalm that we often refer to as the Magnificat (from the first word of this psalm in Latin, magnificat, which means “magnifies”). Mary began her praise by celebrating the blessing she had received from God. Then, she broadened her scope by noting how God had blessed so many others as well. Among these widespread blessings, God “performed mighty deeds with his arm,” “brought down rulers from their thrones,” and “filled the hungry with good things” (1:51-53). Though Mary didn’t say it in these precise words, she celebrated God as a worker.

We may not be accustomed to thinking of God in this way. But, if we step back and reflect on the biblical narrative, we see God at work in a great variety of activities, beginning, of course, with the creation of heaven and earth. The fact that Jesus saw God as a worker is clear from his statement in John 5:17: “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

Mary’s praise of God invites you to see and to celebrate God as a worker. It encourages you to remember God’s works and reflect on them. You may begin, like Mary, by praising God for how he has blessed you personally. But, following Mary’s example, you may wish to broaden your perspective and celebrate the breadth of God’s works. God has indeed done amazing things. And, as Jesus emphasizes, God is at work to this very day, around you, in you, and through you.