Advent Day 25
Music.
May I Recieve, Written and recorded by Allswell.
Wooden Starlight, Written and Recorded by Dear Gravity. 
The Magnificat
Our reading today is a song that has become one of the most frequently prayed passages of Scripture in Christianity.
Song of Mary is most commonly known as the Magnificat which is Latin for Magnifies.
As significant as Mary is in the Christian story, we only hear her speak four times: to the angel at the Annunciation, to Jesus at age twelve in the Temple, to Jesus at the wedding feast in Cana, and here in the Magnificat.
The Magnificat is certainly a hymn of praise, but it’s also a subversive revolutionary anthem.
What you may or may not notice about the  Magnificat is that it is an adaptation of Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1–10.
Hannah became the mother of the prophet Samuel. She had been barren and was bitterly tormented by her husband’s second wife, but Hannah conceived after making a vow to dedicate her firstborn son to the Lord. Her song is a hymn of gratitude and triumph that speaks of how God intervenes on behalf of the unfortunate. Part of Hannah’s song goes like this:
He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the ash heap,
He makes them sit with princes.
In comparing the songs of Hannah and Mary we see how the New Testament is dependent upon the First Testament. And what stands out about both songs is how revolutionary they are.
As we hear the Magnificat, Think of how subversive these words were in the context of Mary’s time—the time of King Herod.
Luke 1:46-55
Mary’s Magnificat anticipates what will happen when her son grows up and begins to proclaim the good news of the new peaceable kingdom.
It will be a message welcomed by the poor, the sick, the downcast and outcasts who are open to Jesus’ message while the rich and powerful will mostly resist it.
What we should learn from the Magnificat is that the grace of God flows downhill toward the lowly places in our lives where we are humble, weak, and poor.
There may be places in your life where you are strong, successful, and rich. And this can be a blessing. But be careful and always remember that grace flows downhill.
In our contemporary context, we need a Christianity formed by the Magnificat.
In the western world, we are typically inclined toward ideas of success and anthems of strength. But the grace of God does not run uphill toward the pinnacles of success and strength, it rolls downhill toward the low places of humility and trust.
Advent is not just about waiting, but about waiting in the right place. The right place to wait for the grace of God is the lowly ash heap of your barrenness and brokenness. This is where the grace of God will appear.
Before we listen to ready yourself in a place of worship, as we hear Mary’s song, let it be our continued prayer for the Peace of God’s kingdom to come this Christmas.
Perhaps you are feeling near the bottom of the hill and are in need to grace to run to you.

As we finish today we will hear the beatitudes. If you are hurting, lonely or otherwise downtrodden take comfort in knowing that this Christmas, we await the King of Kings, the creator of the all thigs, who comes to this earth to bring you comfort, peace, hope and joy.

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