Putting The World Right Again

This morning we’ll continue following the Christmas story through the eyes of Mary, the mother of Jesus, an amazing young woman. Think with me about what must have been going through Mary’s mind and the emotions she felt in the early months of her pregnancy with Jesus. She had seen an angel who told her God was going to use her for something wonderful, and this something would happen through her son who would be born soon. That’s weird! And who could she talk about it with? Her fiancé, Joseph, didn’t believe her story at first, until an angel appeared to him, too, and confirmed the message. And he came on board! Good for him. But what about her parents and the neighbors? Soon a baby was growing inside of her; there was no doubt about that. And yet, how could she comprehend what God was doing? Even if it were all written out in precise, analytical, theological language, pages and pages, it wouldn’t help. This was still just too wonderful. There aren’t words to do it justice. There must have been such a hodge-podge of thoughts swirling in her mind.

But God took care of Mary. The angels had also spoken to her uncle, Zechariah, and now her aunt, Elizabeth was also expecting. That was another miracle. They were her best chance of finding someone else who would believe her. So Mary up and visited her aunt.

And Aunt Elizabeth must have meant so much to Mary. Here was someone who could understand. Here was someone who had been hearing from God, too, and was in the flow of what God was doing. Here was someone who could reassure her that God was with her and things would be all right.

A lot of young mothers need the support of a wise, older woman, and Mary was taking an even bigger step than bringing a normal baby into the world, a much bigger step.

And as she and Elizabeth got together, the whole wonder of it all came a little clearer in Mary’s heart and her mind, and it all came out. Mary burst out with a beautiful poem, maybe a song, of what God was doing.

I’d like us to look at that song together this morning. And as I read it, I want you to think about it carefully. What is the purpose of Christmas? This song is one of the most important parts of “the true meaning of Christmas,” a part that all too easily gets trampled in the rush. So much of our modern emphasis is on buying stuff, finding peace for ourselves, enjoying our wonderful little family groups, like we’ve hibernated in cozy cocoons. But is Christmas about me and my family? Listen to what Mary understood God was doing on the first Christmas.

Our scripture lesson for this 4th Sunday of Advent is Luke 1:46-55.

46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

Mary’s song gives us eight statements in a row of what God was doing. They will show us what Mary understood was going on. And in good Hebrew poetic form, they fit together in pairs.

The first pair is verse 51,

“He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in their thoughts of their hearts.”

Like many Americans are raised on Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss, the people of Israel were raised on the stories of the many times God had shown the strength of his arm for their ancestors giving them victory on the battlefield and scattering their enemies. Mary was named after Miriam, Moses’ sister, who led the victory celebration after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and were free of Egypt. She named her son Jesus because that was what the angel told her to do. But in Hebrew it was the same name as Joshua, the great military leader who led them in taking over the promised land. Those stories were all around them.