Blog
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Embracing Mary’s Joy
Micah 5:2–5a
Luke 1:39–45, [46–55]
by Regina Heater
From deep in my heart I dance with joy to honor the Great Spirit. Even though I am small and weak, he noticed me. Now I will be looked up to by all. The Mighty One has lifted me up! His name is sacred. He is the Great and Holy One.” Her face seemed to shine as she continued. “He shows kindness and pity to both children and elders who respect him. His strong arm has brought low the ones who think they are better than others. He counts coup with arrogant warrior chiefs but puts a headdress of honor on the ones with humble hearts.” She smiled, looked up to the sky, and shouted for joy! “He prepares a great feast for the ones who are hungry, but sends the fat ones home with empty bellies. He has been kind to the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) who walk in his ways, for he has remembered the ancient promises he made to our ancestors—to Father of Many Nations (Abraham) and his descendants.” When she finished, they both laughed with joy. With hearts full of gladness they told each other their stories.
—Luke 1:46b–44, First Nations Version
We’re almost there! It’s the fourth Sunday of Advent, and the birth of Jesus is imminent, and I’m tired. In my primary work as a church administrator, I find that it can be really difficult to experience the fullness of Advent because I’m just so darn busy—and when I’m not busy, I’m just tired. The enormity of the world’s grief makes me even more tired. What I need is some joy, and luckily, our text this week from Luke can help me (and you) get there.
I have read the Magnificat, listened to it, studied it, preached it, and sung it as part of grand choral arrangements with orchestra and as simple hymns.
And there are moments when I look at the enormity of the world’s grief and get discouraged because I long for the fulfillment of the Magnificat and the liberation it promises.
But similar to Advent being both long and quick, the kin-dom of God is both now and not yet, and the Magnificat is something we can live into right now both in anticipation of the kin-dom and to bring about the kin-dom.
Living into it means participating in the hope of the prophecy of one who “prepares a great feast for the ones who are hungry, but sends the fat ones home with empty bellies” (Luke 1:53).
Living into it means being encouraged by a Savior who is kind and merciful as the rule, and not the exception.
Living into it means believing that even though I am lowly and not a person of particular note (though some might consider me notorious), the Great and Holy One might also notice me and lift me up—not so I can be revered—that I might be blessed to work into God’s purpose.
That I, too, might be a theokotos, a God-bearer.
Living into it means embracing the joy of Mary, a participant in a truly incomprehensible reality who can sing “From deep in my heart I dance with joy to honor the Great Spirit” (Luke 1:46–47).
It is the acts of living into this promise that bring me hope and joy beyond measure, even when I am weary. Even when I don’t want to haul the Christmas decorations out, even when grief and fear weigh down my spirit. We are part of the kin-dom of God. Joy to the world, indeed.
Prayer
Great and Holy One,
As we near the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we come weary yet hopeful. The weight of life and the world’s sorrow often drains us, but your promises renew us.
Like Mary, we rejoice in your faithfulness. You lift the lowly, fill the hungry, and invite us into the joy of your kin-dom, both now and to come.
When we feel unseen, remind us of your love. Strengthen us to bear your presence, sharing hope and joy even in weariness.
In the name of Jesus, our Savior, we pray. Amen.
Regina Heater (she/her/they) is a self-avowed and practicing ecumenist, story collector, and story sharer. After a decade of practicing pastoral care with anxious patients in a dental office, she’s currently a church administrator at a suburban United Methodist Church in northern New Jersey. Connect with Regina on United Women in Faith Digital, where she serves as a Community Guide.
The photograph is from the 2024 Daily Prayer Guide.
