This Sunday we arrive at the conclusion of the Advent season, and then turn around and celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve. All in one day! It’s enough to make one’s head spin.
The fourth Sunday of Advent is reserved for Mary. Her wonder. Her questions. Her bold acceptance of God’s call. Her song. The Magnificat.
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Luke 1:46-55
Though it has been historically set to liturgical chants and orchestral arrangements, this song might better come to life in the hands of a metal guitarist, with 70s rock ambitions and a bit of anarchy in their attitude.
Mary’s song is not for the faint of heart. It is not a lullaby in any traditional sense. The Magnificat is an anthem of hope and resistance. It echoes Hannah’s song at the birth of her son Samuel (1 Samuel 2). It draws upon thematic pieces from prophets like Isaiah and Amos. It announces a shocking reversal of expectations.
Another word from Alfred Delp, the Jesuit Priest executed by the nazis for daring to hope of a new world:
“The gospel for the fourth Sunday in Advent evokes history. It refers to the mighty who determine the structure of the small room, in which the Light of the World will come into being, bringing salvation. In order to recognize that a moment of historical crisis is implied here, we have to clothe these names with the memory of the part they played in history. From the imperial throne to the holy of holies, the outlook was hopeless; even the priesthood has been corrupted by power politics, family egoism, and narrow-minded bigotry (Alfred Delp, SJ, Prison Writings, 44).”
The Caesars and Herods of the world would not approve of Mary’s song. They would actively seek to make sure words like hers would be snuffed out before too many people learned the tune. The ideas are too unsettling to those with all the power.
The lowly will be elevated. The proud scattered. The hungry will be filled with good things. The rich sent away empty. These are not platitudes spoken in powerful places. These are the whispers of those who long for release and new life. And now, it seems, they will come to realization and incarnation in the rapidly dividing cells in the womb of a young girl in ancient Palestine.
The promises will be remembered. There is hope.
This Sunday we celebrate God’s decisive action in history and in our lives. No matter what, God chooses life. That’s the hope of Mary. That’s the good tidings proclaimed to startled shepherds. That’s the hope we cherish as we too gather once more around the manger.
Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!
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