The Daily: Monday December 16, 2024

Read Luke 1:46-55  (NRSV, The Message)

These daily devotionals were orginally written for Advent 2020. While the challenges four years later are slightly different, the need for those who dream remains the same.
 
These devotionals are © 2020 A Sanctified Art LLC  www.sanctifiedart.org

commentary | Dr. Marcia Riggs

It is during a visit with her cousin Elizabeth—whose baby in her womb, John the Baptist, responds with joy to Mary’s greeting—that Mary is moved to praise God in song. Mary’s song wells up in her as joy because she feels deeply connected with Elizabeth—young woman to older woman experiencing redemption in and through their bodies. On one hand, in a culture where bearing children signified fulfilling one’s womanhood, why shouldn’t these women be overjoyed? On another hand, bearing a child in old age and becoming pregnant before marriage were reasons to diminish their joy. But they are faithful and believe that they have been chosen by God to bear children who will change the course of history.

Mary’s song shows us that sowing joy emerges as we surrender to God’s vision. Confirmed by Elizabeth’s affirmation, Mary must praise God as she anticipates the fulfillment of God’s promise to her ancestors and generations to come. God’s realm may seem incomprehensible: those in power are brought down, those who are lowly are lifted, the hungry are filled with good things, and the rich are divested of their riches. This is a vision of a world turned upside down. But, hasn’t God already turned things inside out when he chooses Mary to be the mother of Jesus? Joy, anticipatory joy, is the only response of the faithful.

Gospel singer Shirley Caesar sings a song entitled, “This Joy I Have.” The lyrics are:
This joy that I have the world didn’t give to me
This joy that I have the world didn’t give to me
This joy that I have the world didn’t give to me
The world didn’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away⁷

Today’s text is referred to as the Magnificat, Mary’s joyous praise of God. From the moment Mary is chosen to bear Jesus, we are made aware of God’s solidarity with the poor. The song sows joy that is the seed of a social revolution.

⁷ Shirley Caesar, featuring Eric Reed. “This Joy I have.” Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert. 2005.