The Power in Singing

And Mary said, 

“My soul magnifies the Lord, 

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

(You can read Mary's Song here)

What I appreciate most about The Magnificat (Mary's Song) is its poetic form. Her song provides an unusual and surprising insight into the power and goodness of God. For me, Mary is a model of faith by completely accepting her part in God’s salvation plan. Her singing celebrates receiving that role in God's plan. 

I particularly like the poetic form because, biblically, it represents singing and singing is powerful.

Singing is powerful. It moves our souls.

For example, Psalms, such as laments (see Psalm 79), help cope with the difficult emotions of grief and fear while removing their crippling capacity. Songs of praise and thanksgiving (see Psalm 34) unite us to God. And canticles, such as the Canticle of Simeon (see Luke 2:29-32), describing courage, promise, and hopes as they become real.

Singing is powerful. It has transformational power.

For example, at the Berlin Wall the citizens of Leipzig gathered in peaceful protests on Monday evenings around St. Nikolai church. In a candlelight vigil, they would sing songs of hope, protest and justice. Their numbers grew constantly to hundreds of thousands of voices. Finally, their singing shook their nations' powers  and changed the world.

Singing is powerful. It voices our collective desires to God.

"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” sings with the same confidence and hope of Mary. "Joy to the World" sings of celebrating and participating in Christ's arrival in the flesh.

Singing is powerful.  It is, as St. Augustine, is credited with saying, "Those who sing pray twice."

Singing our carols as we gather on Christmas Eve, especially in today's tensions, singing includes us in God's plan to save and redeem the world. 

Like Mary, it is our "praying twice" for God's mighty acts of salvation that includes us in the plan.