It should be no surprise that at the centre of the advent story is a mother, for surely, through them the world is made new. Without mothers there is no hope for the world. Because of mothers, the world might yet be changed.
But this is not the whole story. ‘Mary’ is a name thought to be used through the bible as an archetype. Another way of saying ‘woman’, as if individual women did not need their own name. Yet one particular Mary is recorded as singing this song;
46-55 And Mary said,
I’m bursting with God-news;
I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
His mercy flows in wave after wave
on those who are in awe before him.
He bared his arm and showed his strength,
scattered the bluffing braggarts.
He knocked tyrants off their high horses,
pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet;
the callous rich were left out in the cold.
He embraced his chosen child, Israel;
he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
It’s exactly what he promised,
beginning with Abraham and right up to now.Luke 1 46-55 (The Message translation)
It would seem remiss then, not to make reference to this stunning song.
If you have not heard it yet (or if you have) please take a few minuites to let it wash over you… then go an buy it from here;
