Date: 18 December 2023
Author: Janie Bruce
Text: Luke 1:51-55
Title: Sing-along
German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer recognized the subversive nature of Mary’s Song. During a sermon in Advent 1933 he said these words: “The song of Mary is the oldest Advent hymn. It is at once the most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary Advent hymn ever sung. This is not the gentle, tender, dreamy Mary whom we sometimes see in paintings. . . . This song has none of the sweet, nostalgic, or even playful tones of some of our Christmas carols.”
In this second piece of her song Mary exclaims that the proud have been knocked down, the powerful have lost power while the meek are given voice, and the hungry are finally full. Mary could see God’s kingdom (kin-dom) being played out here on earth as intended.
How is it that we now live so backwards from this? God’s plan was coming to fruition and yet again, we’ve messed it up. It seems wrong to celebrate the coming of Christ when things are not as they were intended. We have given the powerful power and again taken voice from the meek. We are letting people go hungry while we sit full.
It’s time to live out God’s kingdom (kin-dom) here on earth. It’s time to get ourselves to a place where we can sing along these truths with Mary and not just recite the words because it’s printed in our Sunday bulletin.
Challenge: “What are we waiting for?” Take time today to truly look for those whose path you cross that are meek and need to be given voice. How can you listen? How can you advocate?
Prayer:
God of mercy, we pray out of anguish and grief for your kin-dom to be present here today. And we pray with confidence knowing that you are faithful to give voice to the meek and fill the hungry. Amen.
Author: Janie Bruce
Text: Luke 1:51-55
Title: Sing-along
German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer recognized the subversive nature of Mary’s Song. During a sermon in Advent 1933 he said these words: “The song of Mary is the oldest Advent hymn. It is at once the most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary Advent hymn ever sung. This is not the gentle, tender, dreamy Mary whom we sometimes see in paintings. . . . This song has none of the sweet, nostalgic, or even playful tones of some of our Christmas carols.”
In this second piece of her song Mary exclaims that the proud have been knocked down, the powerful have lost power while the meek are given voice, and the hungry are finally full. Mary could see God’s kingdom (kin-dom) being played out here on earth as intended.
How is it that we now live so backwards from this? God’s plan was coming to fruition and yet again, we’ve messed it up. It seems wrong to celebrate the coming of Christ when things are not as they were intended. We have given the powerful power and again taken voice from the meek. We are letting people go hungry while we sit full.
It’s time to live out God’s kingdom (kin-dom) here on earth. It’s time to get ourselves to a place where we can sing along these truths with Mary and not just recite the words because it’s printed in our Sunday bulletin.
Challenge: “What are we waiting for?” Take time today to truly look for those whose path you cross that are meek and need to be given voice. How can you listen? How can you advocate?
Prayer:
God of mercy, we pray out of anguish and grief for your kin-dom to be present here today. And we pray with confidence knowing that you are faithful to give voice to the meek and fill the hungry. Amen.
Janie Bruce is the Mission Immersion Site Director for Charleston Youth Mission. She is a long time resident of Charleston, SC. Family time at beaches or camping are a favorite. Janie also serves as the Director of Youth Ministry for the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery.
