On the third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate the gift of joy. Using the Magnificat (Luke 1:47-55), Mary's song in response to the news that she will be the mother of God-with-us, we reflect on a joy that is not for ourselves alone, but a joy that is meant for all peoples in all times and places.
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Mary’s song is one of my favorite gifts here in the first chapter of Luke. Mary has been visited by the angel who has told her that she has been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God. Even in the approach of the angel, we see the first inkling of Mary’s strength and wisdom.
Before she hears anything else, she ponders the angel’s greeting. She is obviously aware of the holy texts. She knows that angels don’t just show up to random people. There is a reason this angel has shown up to her. She has been chosen for something. And she likely has some idea of how difficult that task will be based on the history of her people. And she is perplexed because she can't believe she would be chosen for anything important.
And then the angel tells her what it is she has been chosen for. And her response is, “Hold up. I’m a young, unwed woman. How’s this gonna go down?” This is no easy thing the angel is telling her. To be a young, unwed, pregnant woman would mean shame for her and her family. It means poverty, destitution, and even less status than a young woman already has. Not only that, but there is no guarantee she will even survive the thing. Even today, pregnancy takes a huge toll on the body of the mother. It was a much riskier proposition two thousand years ago.
Even so, Mary agrees. “Let it be with me according to your word.”
After the angel departs, she goes to see the only person she can think of that might possibly understand, her elder cousin, Elizabeth. The angel had told her that Elizabeth, who had been childless, was now 6 months pregnant with her own angel-promised child. If anyone can understand what Mary is about to go through, it is Elizabeth. Not to mention, now that she has agreed, it might be best for Mary to get out of town before things become noticeable. This is a physically and socially risky thing she is doing. She trusts Elizabeth to believe her and protect her where others might not.
As soon as she greets her cousin, Elizabeth’s baby leaps in her womb. This is excellent foreshadowing of John’s role later in life -- the one who makes Jesus known to others. Elizabeth blesses Mary without another word.
Mary’s response to the angel was a bit reserved. Maybe it still didn’t feel quite real yet. Maybe she needed this affirmation. Whatever the reason for the delay, now Mary offers a much more heartfelt response.
“In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior” (Luke 1:47, CEB).
With all that she is, Mary rejoices. She expresses joy and delight. She sings a song of all that this means not only for her but for all people. As we hear her own words of longing, expectation, and joy, it becomes clear that Mary most certainly knew who she was going to welcome into the world.
The gift of all that God is doing in this moment brings Mary joy. She is filled with joy that God has recognized one so lowly from the back end of nowhere to have this child. She is filled with joy that God has heard the cries of the people and has responded. She is filled with joy that God has not forgotten the people of Israel. She is filled with joy that God remembers the promises that have been made to Abraham and Abraham’s descendants.
Mary sings a song of joy for God’s justice and mercy.
As we consider her position, it would be easy to think of being overcome with despair. Especially if we look at all that is taking place in the typical guise of obedient, compliant Mary who simply does what is asked without any agency of her own. After all, imagine being in her position without any choice in the matter.
But she agreed to all that was taking place after taking the time to consider and question what was being asked. Even then, it probably didn’t feel entirely real until the greeting she received from Elizabeth. On her way there, she probably began to doubt the whole thing herself, probably chalking it up to a weird dream.
But when she is greeted by Elizabeth, she can no longer deny it. She can no longer pretend. Elizabeth’s greeting makes it real. And rather than feel the weight of being a young, unwed, pregnant woman, she is filled with joy.
How many of us can say we would feel the same? How many of us, given similar circumstances in today’s world, can honestly say we would have responded with joy?
Because there is still ample room for doubt and despair in this story. Being young, unwed, and a woman. The risk of pregnancy itself. The lack of promise of your own survival. The history of the prophets and how they were treated. The knowledge that as your son challenges the people in power, they are not likely to ignore it or to give up their power willingly.
Knowing all of that, would we be able to enter the same situation with joy?
But Mary rejoiced!
In more traditional language her song begins “My soul magnifies the Lord” or “My soul gives glory to my God.”
Mary rejoices for the gift that God has given her. She rejoices not only at being chosen by God; she rejoices at the prospect of giving birth to Emmanuel -- God with us. She rejoices not only for what this means for her personally, but also what this means for the rest of creation.
God is coming into the world to show us what love looks like. God is coming into the world to show us what it means to be in relationship with one another. God is coming into the world to show us how we are meant to live toward one another. And that fills Mary with joy.
This is good news to those who are suffering. This is good news for the outcasts and the marginalized. This is good news for the weak and the hungry.
This is why Mary receives this gift with joy.
This is why we continue to rejoice today.
When we share this story today, do we still do so with a sense of joy? When we celebrate the gift of Jesus to the world, do we see it only as joy for ourselves, or do we see this gift through Mary’s eyes as joy for all? Where is the joy in the story that we share with the rest of the world?
As the birth of the Christ child draws closer, as we remember with joy the gift that God has given to us all, we also look with joy and expectation for all God is still doing in the world.
We look with joy on the baby lying in a manger.
We look with joy at all that Jesus accomplished in his life.
We look with expectant joy to the day when all is fulfilled exactly as Mary proclaimed.
May the story we share with the world continue to be a gift of joy to a world in need of hope.
And because it is my favorite version of Mary's song and I share it every chance I can: