The Message, December 17, 2023: "Dancing With Joy!" Luke 1:46b-55

Author: Rev. Scott W. Cousineau
December 19, 2023

 

“Dancing With Joy!”
A Message by Rev. Scott W. Cousineau
Luke 1:46b-55

            The scripture lessons that we have read during our Advent journey are wearing out our mental time machines. We have looped back and forth in time as if we are trying to prove the theory of folds in the time space continuum.

            For those of you who have not been with us, let me recap:

            Two weeks ago, we heard a desperate cry for help from the northern tribes of Israel. The call went forth to God around the year 700 BCE as the Assyrians were spreading their empire, conquering their neighbors, and took the people captive. The People cried out, “Restore us, O God!”

            Then last week, we flashed forward a little over seven hundred years, as John the Baptist broke forth unto the scene fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah. John encountered a people that were still desperate all of those centuries later. He offered a baptism of repentance and a new relationship with God. He also proclaimed that he was preparing the way for One who was greater than he was.

            And today we flash back about thirty years. We encountered Mary who had just been visited by none other than the Angel Gabriel. She was told that she was carrying that Greater One, then she headed off to a small village in Judah to visit with her cousin, Elizabeth, who is also carrying a miraculous child in her womb. Elizabeth’s child is … John the Baptist.

            Is your head spinning yet?

            Then, as Mary entered into Elizabeth’s home, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb jumped for joy! Yes, John the Baptist, while still in the womb recognized the greatness of the child that Mary carried.

            Of course, all of this occurred before we heard Mary’s song. But it is important that we understand the context from which this song came.

            As we heard last week, the people were desperate. They were poor, hungry, oppressed, occupied and enslaved in their own country. They lived under the brutal reign of Herod the “Great,” whose authority was backed by the power of Rome.

            Mary and the people of Israel had searched the holy scriptures looking for words of hope and mercy. They called out for the fulfillment of the promises of God. Like their cousins seven centuries earlier, they called out for restoration. They prayed to God to come to their rescue.

            All of that history, all of those emotions and longings were poured into Mary’s song.

            And as we heard, Mary’s song is a celebration of God! In the face of all of their struggles Mary sings of the greatness of God.

            The use of language that speaks of what God has already done for the people as a way to introduce what God will do is a familiar pattern. It speaks to God’s steadfast Presence throughout their history. And as we heard a few moments ago, the words that were used to describe what God will do in the End Times are in the past tense. They express a certainty that the promises of God can be proclaimed as accomplished. Our faith assures us that God’s will WILL BE DONE.

            Mary’s song is a song of faith. It is a song based upon the people’s confidence in the providence of God.

            Mary’s song is also a song of strength. It is a protest song. The struggles and oppression of the world will come to an end. Nothing can challenge the power of God.

            There is a fifteenth century English carol that describes Mother Mary as being meek and mild. We can see sweet Mary kneeling beside the manger and the Baby Jesus. They are surrounded by a heavenly light. But that notion that Mary was meek and mild is not really accurate. A more appropriate theme song for Mary would be Rachel Platten’s, “This is my fight song.” “Take back my life song.”

            Mary was not to be trifled with. That is why God chose her. She was educated in the words of scripture. She was likely familiar with the words of Psalm 126. She knew the promises of God. She was courageous and strong. She knew that her pregnancy would be a source of scandal and shame for herself and her family, but still said, “yes,” to God’s request.

            Mary’s song challenged the status quo just as her Son would do in his ministry. Mary sang of the reversal of fortunes and status. The poor will be raised up and the rich will be brought low. The hungry will be fed, and the rich will go away empty. We will hear these sentiments in Jesus’ first sermon, the Sermon on the Mount.

            God’s choice of Mary reveals to us that the work of the Kingdom has already begun. It began while Mary carried Jesus in her womb.

            Now, as we cheer on Mary and her song, “You go girl! You tell them, Mary!” we should recognize that there is a barb for us today. The reality is that most of us today probably fall into the “full” and “rich” category. When we view this scene from twenty thousand feet, we see that we are the privileged. According to Mary’s song, we will be the ones sent away hungry and empty.

            Unless … we dedicate ourselves to the Way of God, the Way of Jesus Christ. As we heard, Mary only focused upon herself for a brief moment. She expressed her gratitude for what God had done for her personally. But then she turned her focus outward. The remainder of her song was directed at what God will certainly do for her people, her neighbors, and for the world.

            The challenge for us today as we bask in the light of the candles of Hope, Peace and Joy is how do we share them. How do we respond to Mary’s song?

            For those who struggle with darkness deep and intimate, her words are words of hope. It is hard to sing for joy when you are hurting, but perhaps you can hear the promise in her words.

            For those who struggle, may we be a place of strength and support. May we be a source of hope and peace.

            For those of us who hear Mary’s words from a place of comfort, may we be inspired to respond with generosity. May we dedicate ourselves to ministries that bring healing to a broken world. May we dedicate ourselves to living lives of compassion and kindness.

            And may we sing a song of joy because we know that the work of the Kingdom has already begun. Amen.

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