Dear Brothers and Sisters,
And so, we have nearly come to the end of Advent, the church year’s Season of Waiting. After we participate in the Greening of the Church after the service, we settle down for a few more days of looking ahead to the great DAY when we celebrate the coming of Jesus among us as a human. And, of course, of taking care of last-minute preparations and gift-buying for the holiday.
At the beginning of Advent, I mentioned that it is a sort of confusing season because we are looking back to the coming of Christ over two thousand years ago. And we are looking forward to the second coming of Christ at the end of the age. It’s a kind of time-warp, spiritual whiplash.
This Sunday’s readings give us that whiplash in spades.
The “Magnificat”, the song of Mary, is one of the most well-known and beautiful of the Gospel hymns. It is always a part of the Advent 4 readings, either in place of a Psalm or as part of the Gospel. It was Mary’s response to her cousin Elizabeth’s song, inspired by the Holy Spirit, naming her “Blessed among Women”. Mary does indeed acknowledge that all generations will call her blessed.
Look down a little farther, though, and you will see that for several lines she sings about the wonderful things that God is going to do in the world, but she uses the past tense. God will do great things and God has already done them! How confusing! The writers of Scripture don’t make casual mistakes like that in their language. But what could it possibly mean? One thing, of course, is the realization that for God there is no past or future. It is all NOW. But in Luke: Interpretation, by Fred Craddock, he proposes another explanation: that Mary’s belief and trust in God’s promises is so great, the mere fact that God intends to do something is the same as having already done it. Don’t forget that Elizabeth praises her for believing in the fulfillment of God’s Word.
What a wonderful depth of confidence in God! The kind of confidence that most of us can only hope and pray for. The Mighty One has, indeed, done great things for Mary. The Good News here is that God is ready and excited about doing the same thing for us, even if we are not as holy as Mary. If only we take the time to pay attention and notice the multitude of blessings we have received, we are receiving, then we can cultivate the gift of trust and confidence in God our Savior.
Rejoice! Hope!
Mo. Laura+
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St. Margaret’s Virtual Service 12-19-21