Joy runs throughout Luke's infancy narrative.
The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary was a joyful one. Then in her Magnificat, Mary "rejoices in God my savior." When Elizabeth gives birth to John, her neighbors and relatives "rejoiced with her." At the birth of Jesus the angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds and proclaims "good news of great joy that will be for all people."
We can remember when we rejoiced in what someone else had done - a family member, a close friend. Whatever they did, we felt part of it. And we rejoiced.
That's the kind of rejoicing Mary expresses in her Magnificat. She rejoices in "the greatness of the Lord . . . in God my savior." When she experiences firsthand how truly good God is, her heart is lifted. It is delight - pure joy, not at all self-conscious.
The best prayer of all happens when we realize just how good God is.
Prayers of joy. We're capable of that kind of prayer.
- Little Blue Book, December 22