Oh, how I praise the Lord, How I rejoice in the God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our ancestors – Abraham and his children – to be merciful to them forever. (The Magnificat Luke 1: 47-55)

The Magnificat is Mary’s song in praise of God when she learned that she would be the mother of the Savior. She noted that God is the champion of the poor, the oppressed and despised.

I am reminded of the people in my life who willingly give of themselves when a need arises. The family who housed a refugee family of six in their vacant home before they put it on the market.

The couple, parents of young children, who brought an immigrant family of five to live with them until they could get established. The family who housed a teenager after she was tossed out of her home upon graduating from high school. The woman who for years has been the Burmese refugee 911, helping them in many ways including housing them from time to time.

All of these people are welcoming Jesus even as they provide for those in need. They, too, can sing this song.

Prayer: Come Lord Jesus, be a guest in my home and in my heart. Thank you for the people I know and love who lead by example and show me how to serve you through acts of kindness and generosity. Help me to pick up the wand and do what I can with what I have where I am. Amen.

Iva Richards
Mission Outreach volunteer