This Sunday as we enter the Advent season, we begin a worship series based on the song Mary sang when it was announced to her that she would give birth to the Savior. Found in Luke 1:46-55, it is traditionally called the Magnificat after the opening words of the Latin Vulgate version, Magnificat anima mea Dominum, "My soul magnifies the Lord."
The Magnificat opens with an expression of awe and gratitude:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name."
And the song continues on with things the Lord “has” done.
He has shown strength with his arm;
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.
Has done these things how? Has done them by entering the womb. In point of fact now as in Mary’s time, powerful social and economic forces are becoming ever richer and more powerful and continue to exploit the vulnerable. The Lord has done these things, one might say, in a possible future, a future which is still open to us to claim together.
Mary’s gratitude is prophetic. t is a form of hope. It looks toward what the Lord can do when we join with the Lord to do the work of justice.
Join us for the Sundays of Advent as we magnify the Lord.
Sunday Rhythm
3pm Work Together
4pm Worship
5pm Eat together grab and go style format
All Are Welcome
Come as you are, stay as you are able.
Peace and justice,
Rev. Jonathan
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