Hey folks! This Sunday we move to week two of Advent!
Click here to read our introduction.
This week we’ll be talking through what is probably the most famous song of all time, “Mary’s Song,” or, “The Magnificat.”
The Magnificat is famous for a number of reasons, too many perhaps to cover here. It is expressive of deep devotion and such a clarity of faith that it only makes sense to pray it each night, just as the Evening Office of the Prayer Book prescribes.
Since its utterance from the lips of our Holy Mother, it has for millennia encapsulated what it means to receive God’s grace in Christ Jesus.
In it, Mary takes her place as the rightful “mother” of all the faithful: if you want to know what it “sounds” like to respond to God’s grace in faith, read the Magnificat. Pray the Magnificat, and ask God to make the words true for you as they were for Mary.
The beauty of the prayer is at least threefold.
First, Mary radically de-centers herself.
She claims that all generations will call here blessed. Why? Because of her great triumph over an enemy? Because of her deep wisdom? Because of her excellent virtue? No, all generations will call her blessed because God as done great things for her in the very context of her humble reality.
Mary is an icon of all true blessedness, because to be blessed is to be a recipient of God’s good gifts.
Second, Mary shows a deep understanding (far more than the disciples, as the story goes along!) of the role this child is going to play in the drama of redemptive history.
“He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised to our ancestors.” Mary sees that this is the fruition of the promise given to Abraham to bless the world and extend the household of God forever.
Third, Mary “sees” with real clarity what this means for the world as we experience it day-to-day.
God’s mercy “extends to those who fear him.” While it may not look like it, “apocalyptic” events like the Incarnation of God (and his eventual return) uncover the truth that is hidden by sin: that the proud will be humbled, rulers power is never absolute, and the poor will be cared for.
May we find ourselves blessed this Advent as we rejoice in God our Savior!
Scripture to consider:
Luke 1:46-56
John 1:1-14
Hebrews 1:1-3
Questions for your kids
Why do you think Mary sings that “all generations will call her blessed”?
The church has always found that this song is a good one for all Christians to sing. Why do you think that might be?
Peace,
Danny+