Today's Daily Bread

MY SOUL GLORIFIES THE LORD

Date : Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Passage : Luke 1:39~66
Keyverse : 46-47  
39
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,
40
where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
41
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42
In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
43
But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44
As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"
46
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord
47
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49
for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name.
50
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
51
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
53
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
54
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
55
to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors."
56
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
57
When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.
58
Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
59
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah,
60
but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John."
61
They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name."
62
Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.
63
He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, "His name is John."
64
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.
65
All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.
66
Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord’s hand was with him.
After being visited by the angel, Mary hurried to Elizabeth’s home. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped and she was suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit. What was taking place was truly the work of God. Elizabeth assured Mary that she was truly blessed, because Mary had believed that the words spoken to her would be accomplished.

Mary then let out a song of praise. Her soul glorified the Lord, and her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior. The Lord is mindful of the humble, his mercy extends to those who fear him, and he fills the hungry with good things. He remembers His promise and covenant made with Abraham and to his descendants. He never forgets His word.

When Elizabeth had her baby, everyone expected him to be named after one of their relatives. But, in keeping with the angel’s words, they named him John. John means “God is gracious.” When Zechariah announced the name of the baby boy, his tongue was loosened, and he began to praise God! Once, he doubted the word of the Lord. Now, Zechariah was able to believe and declare it. Prayer: Father, thank you for keeping your covenant to Abraham, his descendants, and to us. You have done great things, and we rejoice in You for all You have done.
One Word: My spirit rejoices in God my Savior!