~ by the Pastor and guest writers ~
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When Mary Sang (December 22, 2004) This week a member of our church commented to me how special the music has been during this Advent season. We have been moved and inspired by soloists, handbells, the voices of youth, instrumentalists, and our sanctuary choir. What a blessing the music of this season has been to each of us! Music has a way of leading us to a more profound worship of God. Do you recall the words of a song in The Presbyterian Hymnal? Listen again: “When in our music God is glorified, And adoration leaves no room for pride, It is as though the whole creation cried: Alleluia! Alleluia!” We read of a teenage girl in Luke’s gospel who was also moved to sing. Mary sang Good News that was different. Mary’s song ascribes to the arrival of this Savior, a great reversal of fortune—the privilege of the rich and powerful is turned upside down, the poor and powerless are exalted. She sings, “He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty” (Luke 1:51-53). This is not a God who will maintain the status quo. This is not a God who is concerned about our sense of security. This is a surprising God who does the unexpected. This is merciful God who exalts the poor when no one else will. This is the God of justice who upsets the rich and sends them away empty. This is the reconciling God who heals the sinner and frustrates the pious. This is the faithful God who saves through grace, not through rewards for work well done. This is the God who can turn the cosmos itself upside down and make stars fall before a darkened moon. The great irony of the Christmas story is that just when all of our security has been stripped away, just when we find ourselves helplessly turned upside down and inside out, just then, we recognize that our real security lies in God alone. For it is through the great reversal of the birth of Jesus Christ, that we are saved, reconciled, redeemed, and made whole. Merry Christmas to each of you. May you sing like Mary. My prayer for you is that you will trust God and God will lead you back to Bethlehem where the One who always remember us is born. Grace, Peace, and Mercy to all as we travel with our Lord into the next year and beyond!
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