Let us pray: God who comes to us as we are, as we approach the birth of Jesus, may we come closer to one another, and find ourselves closer to you. In the name of the Creator, the divine Human, and the connecting Spirit. Amen.
What a great story we have in today’s gospel on the last Sunday of Advent. We are close, SO close to Christmas, but we’re not quite there yet, just a bit more time, just a bit more waiting. Time for us to hear and wonder about two pregnant women, a young woman, Mary, and a much older woman, Elizabeth. Yes, today’s sermon is all about two pregnant, singing women.
After hearing the unbelievable news that would change her life forever, this young, peasant girl sets out on a journey of about 80 miles, you know, just three marathons and some change (!) to go see her cousin Elizabeth who she heard is six-months pregnant. And then, when she arrives, it all gets crazy! Mary’s call of “Cousin, I’m here!”, causes the in-utero John the Baptist to start doing cartwheels and goal kicks. And then the Holy Spirit fills her and she blurts out these famous words, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” The Holy Spirit speaks through Elizabeth confirming the truth spoken to Mary. Elizabeth sees it and knows it, and John in her belly gives a kick of witness too! The young Mary is blessed among all women and the baby growing in her womb is blessed as well.
Marveling at the awesomeness of it all, Elizabeth wonders out loud, “Why me? Here you are, the Mother of my Lord, at MY house, visiting ME! The Spirit proclaims the blessedness of Mary, the one who dared trust God’s plan and Elizabeth explains how in-the-womb John the Baptist had somersaulted at the sound of Mary’s voice. Can you even begin to imagine this scene? This joy, awe, and wonder taking place as these two pregnant women meet at the house in the hills of Judea? The smiles, the tears, the headshaking, the awkward baby-bump hugging and belly comparing?
After Elizabeth’s Holy Spirit inspired song, it’s Mary turn.
“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.” Mary rejoices and gives thanks to God as she begins to realize the amazing plan that God has chosen her to be a part of. Just as Elizabeth wonders why the mother of her Lord has come to her, Mary wonders why God has chosen HER, lifted HER up. She knows that from this day forward when people hear her story, they’ll marvel at how God has blessed her. Mary’s next verse is all about the nature of God. Not the typical God of power that many (including us?) are looking for or used to. This God whose praises Mary sings is characterized by mercy. The proud have been scattered and those sitting in thrones of power and judgment have been ejector seated. The lowly have been lifted and the hungry have been filled, while the rich and the usual feasting parties have been sent away without the smallest to-go container! The God that Mary sings of is the God who remembers the promise made to all those who came before, a promise of mercy, to them and us and to all those who’ll come after us. A promise to be with them, to accompany them and champion them, to love them and lift them up.
Mary’s song is a radical vision of the new order present in the wombs of these two women, to be announced by John and then enacted by Jesus. God is coming to be here with us, Immanuel. Not some distant, far-off, all-powerful enforcer to crush us into submission. No. The Prince of Peace comes with mercy seeking to be with us and know us, and to be in relationship with us in ALL of our humanity.
Today’s story about this incredible meeting between these two women is a beautiful reminder of how God comes to US. This whole season of preparation for the birth of the baby Jesus in Bethlehem and all of the great celebration that occurs during Christmastide, are all about God the Universe Creator, choosing, CHOOSING, to come and meet us EXACTLY as we are. In EVERY aspect of our humanity. And thereby deigning it, deigning us, GOOD, and WORTHY, and proclaiming God’s desire to know us as closely as we’ll allow. This Ultimate Power of Creative Love is seeking to be with us as we navigate our lives as humans. As these two women come together through the bonds of their miraculous, unplanned pregnancies and all that they’ll mean for their bodies and their places in society, God is present in it all. By choice!
Together, with Christ, in our common human state, we too can sing, and cry. Together, with Christ, we too can find support, and stand in awe and give thanks to God. We, like Elizabeth and Mary become Holy- Spirit-filled prophets proclaiming God’s goodness and standing amazed and honored to receive the presence of God within and around us, in ourselves and others, and in God’s glorious creation.
Amen.
