On Thursday evenings when we gather for worship on campus, we use the evening prayer liturgy, singing the ancient story of an angel announcing to Mary that she will give birth to the messiah. We sing together Mary’s response accepting the responsibility, naming God’s commitment to the vulnerable and powerless while humbling the powerful and privileged. This story is at the heart of Advent and are the same verses Christians read as the fourth candle is lit on advent wreaths.
Mary’s story is both daunting and familiar. She is young and bewildered, facing new and unsettling challenges. An angel has told her that her life will be forever changed, yet she agrees to trust God and be part of the coming transformation of the world. Mary is vulnerable and powerless in many ways, and she is willing to be part of God’s surprising entry into the world. She becomes an agent of her own empowerment and the world’s empowerment, too.
As Mary sings about God’s commitment to those who are most in need of divine intervention, we hear her strength, her insight, and her deep reliance on the love and faithfulness of God. She echoes the words of the prophets, reminding us of God’s commitment to all people – even to those who seem least valuable to the world around us. Her words bring us hope when we feel vulnerable and powerless. She reminds us that God treasures those who are most in need and humbles the powerful.
This story of God’s commitment to the oppressed and powerless has been sung in the evening prayer liturgy by countless faith communities through the generations. On Thursday nights on campus, it matters that we, who are privileged in the context of the world, have connected with Mary’s story and can sing with her. In Mary’s story and its intersection with our own we realize that the creator of the universe is continually inviting yet another unlikely person to be part of healing and transforming the world, of bringing God’s love close.
May these last days of Advent preparation for the coming celebration of Jesus arrival at Christmas fill us with hope that God is healing and transforming the world. Along with Mary, may we sing of God’s deep commitment and work to bring love and justice to the world.
Peace,
advent prayer | Mary and Elizabeth in Luke 1
The Magnificat (Mary’s Song) from Holden Evening Prayer by Marty Haugen
My soul proclaims your greatness, O God and my spirit rejoices in you.
You have looked with love on your servant here and blessed me all my life through.
Great and mighty are you, O Holy One, strong is your kindness evermore.
How you favor the weak and lowly one, humbling the proud of heart.
You have cast the mighty down from their thrones, and uplifted the humble of heart.
You have filled the hungry with wondrous things and left the wealthy no part.
Great and mighty are you, O Faithful One, strong is your justice, strong your love.
As you promised to Sarah and Abraham, kindness forevermore.
My soul proclaims your greatness, O God and my spirit rejoices in you.
You have looked with love on your servant here and blessed me all my life through.
Holden Evening Prayer, Copyright 1990 by G.I.A Publications, Inc, 7404 South Mason Avenue, Chicago, IL 60638. International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense,net #A700992.