And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
    for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.

Mary has just heard the most exciting news imaginable. Not only is she to give birth, but she is to give birth to the very son of God.

Her joy, though, isn’t giddy excitement for herself…it’s an awareness of what this means for her people and her world. Mary, in spite of being young and being a woman in a time when many women were uneducated, is very aware of God’s teachings. That is what allows her to see beyond the immediate excitement to the even greater joy.