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Advent

December 8, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Luke 1:46b-55
And Mary said,
‘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.
His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
Hz has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Theologian John Dominic Crossan suggests that Jesus’s family might have been deeply impacted by the destruction of the town of Sepphoris in 4 BCE, which is about the time of Jesus’s birth. Some suggest that it was Mary’s place of birth, located six miles from Nazareth. Joseph may have practiced his trade there. The village does have a fascinating history *. Think about how the Oklahoma City bombing changed us in Oklahoma City or how our whole nation was impacted by the destruction of the World Trade Center, particularly the people of New York City. I think it fair to say that significant changes resulted from both events.

Mary’s song of celebration quoted above states well the hope in God of an oppressed people needing to be saved from evil forces in the world. Jesus came to save us all from the forces of evil and to create a world ruled by the love of God. Jesus may have sung such a song as a child as he developed into his leadership role. Please read it carefully and see the acts of Jesus is foresees.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for giving us the gift of loving parents who guide us to live your love in the world today. Amen.

*For a quick review, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepphoris

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.