Luke 1:46-55
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,…”
As we near the third Sunday of Advent, I am grateful for the profound insights my colleagues, the Revs. Kevin Porter and Sarah Colwill shared on our preceding themes of “Hope” and “Peace.” Their reflections reminded me of the challenge inherent in fully embracing our identity as people of faith, and the often-demanding nature of pursuing peace. These thoughts led me to wrestle with a personal difficulty: how to find “Joy” amid the brokenness of our world.
This same fractured world, specifically that of the first century, is where we find an intimate scene unfolding in Elizabeth’s home. Her cousin, Mary, who is also expecting a child, has arrived for a visit. The moment Mary enters the room, joy bursts forth, filling the space. This is beautifully articulated in Mary’s Magnificat, her powerful, prophetic declaration of how Jesus’ arrival will transform the world. With vivid imagery of the mighty being humbled, the hungry being filled, and the oppressed set free, her words announce a coming reorientation of the world. Despite her own personal challenges and those facing her community, Mary rises above the uncertainty by holding fast to this divine promise, finding profound joy in what God is about to do.
This past weekend, my own worldly concerns momentarily evaporated. For a few brief hours, I proudly watched my two young children twirl, step, and dance across the stage of our local theater in the community holiday show. It was the culmination of months of practice. What struck me most was the simple instruction given to the dancers just before their performance: “Just have fun.” And they did. With infectious energy and brilliant smiles, they danced their hearts out. As they took their final bows, I was profoundly reminded of the essential need to create space for “Joy” this season.
Finding “Joy” in our lives and world demands more than merely seeking a distraction from the complexity that surrounds us. What began as a simple visit with her cousin blossomed into a spontaneous and surprising experience of joy. In this season, we’re called to find places where we can lift up praise to God in thanksgiving for the daily and ongoing glimpses of God’s goodness that surround us. Each Advent, we are confronted anew with Mary’s words, which challenge us to hold onto God’s vision for the future. Across the generations, she invites us to dream boldly, trusting that God is constantly at work, reorienting our world and our lives for God’s purpose. This Advent Season, we invite you to actively seek out places where you might find “Joy,” allowing yourself to be reminded of God’s abiding presence in your life as we continue to await Christ’s promised return.
