Mary's Song

Mary's response to the warm welcome from her relative Elizabeth is not really help us celebrate Christmas as usual. If this is going to be read in our churches so near to Christmas shouldn't Mary say things like,

"God helps those who help themselves. God loves people who are self sufficient. From age-to-age God sides w/ the rich and the consumer and promises upon his arrival to uphold the positions of power and authority just as they are, because after all we've worked hard, so hard to get a head! And besides it just wouldn't be fair to send us away empty handed, so don't worry, we'll get what we want most!"

But that's NOT what she says. Her Spirit rejoices in a God who is called "Savior." And comes not to up hold things as they are but instead to turn the world on it's head -- to exalt the humble, fill up the hungry, to bring down rulers from their thrones, scatter the proud, and to send the rich away empty handed.

That all that God is about to do through this pregnant teenager and her child is said to be the fulfilling of a promise God made long ago to Abraham tells us that though this song is indeed shocking and, to us perhaps, a bit disturbing (we don't want to be scattered or sent away empty handed!!!) Mary reminds us that this has been God's intention and God's work from the very beginning.

In the midst of all our caroling, try as we might, we just can't drown out Mary's Song!