Hi Friends,
I give thanks for you all in this season of Advent as we prepare our hearts and await the coming of God, in Jesus. We continue this Sunday with our series "Being Present" as we hear Mary's voice from Luke 1:39-55. The account of Mary visiting her older cousin Elizabeth is the context for our consideration of JOY. She believes that the angel has spoken truth and that she will give birth to the son of God. A gift from God for the people of God. And Mary is the one chosen to deliver. A holy child. A holy presence. A gift of God's presence with her and among all who would hear. Mary proclaims the greatness of God and rejoices with her cousin Elizabeth who also knows the true nature of Mary's unborn child. They praise God and encourage one another in prophetic fashion. Little remembered in this Magnificat are Mary's prophetic utterances:
Your mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear you.
You have shown strength with your arm; you have scattered the proud in their conceit;
you have deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places.
You have filled the hungry with good things, while you have sent the rich away empty.
Not only does Mary give praise to God for what God has done, she also praises God for what God will do. Past, present, future, in all and through all, God is present. The good news is delivered in the words and faithfulness of the young woman from Nazareth. Mary teaches us all again to hear the God of justice, the mighty One who levels the field and allows for the poor and meek to be seen and heard. Joy! Please join us for worship this Sunday and let us worship the One, the Lord, who makes all things possible. For God is indeed with us.
Pastor Paul