singing for justice, pregnant with the Spirit

The great song of Jesus’ mother in the Bible is often known by its Latin title of Magnificat.  This means ‘let magnify’ or ‘let thanks and glory be given’.  It is the cry of Mary when she realises that she is pregnant and is full – or will soon be full - of the love of God in human form (that is the boy-child we know as Jesus).  With all the joy and excitement and anticipation she feels, Mary is crying out as loud as she can – let thanks and glory be given, let life come to birth.  Mary’s whole heart, her whole being, is caught up in thanksgiving and in the process of bringing new life into being.  Can we join in with her?

Advent – the immediate weeks before Christmas Day – is a great time for renewing the spirit of thanksgiving and for pondering on what is coming to birth, or might come to birth, in each of us and in our broken world.  What gifts do we want to thank God for?  What joyful things can we see in our lives and/or in the world around us?  What new things is God doing in us that we want to bring into being?  For each of us is called to sing, and live, our Magnificat.

Mary's song is just one more reason why we have renewed our Season of Gratefulness initiative for Advent this year.  This is not blind to the pain and struggles of our lives and world.  Rather this is also about justice, seeking to rejoice, like Mary, in the presence of that Love which has brought light out of darkness in the past, and will again: not least, as we, if we would but know it, can ourselves be pregnant with the Spirit of God.

My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness; henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our forebears, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.

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