Embracing Life
Abracadabra, fiddle dee dee
today I’ve had so many
nice things done for me!
What do I do with this goodness
such incomparable kindness
in twenty-four hours?
What will I do with this mysterious
joy that flows from the depths of
my soul in praises?
How many ways can I embrace an
interesting life, intriguing
especially to the one living it?
Abracadabra, fiddle dee
I’ll dedicate life to the One
Who calls on me!
Luke 1:46-55, Mary’s Song
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of the Almighty’s servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is God’s name.
God’s mercy is for those who fear God
from generation to generation.
God has shown strength with God’s arm;
God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
God has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
God has helped servant Israel,
in remembrance of God’s mercy,
according to the promise God made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and Sarah and their descendants forever.
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Images of the Mother Mary that paint her as a weakling drive me more than a little crazy. After all, she is due respect in her willingness to accept the call transmitted through the angel. I can’t imagine the courage it must have taken! Her Aunt Elizabeth supports her in just the ways needed when she felt most alone. This teenager grew up seeing the needs of her people and when the vision was given her to be part of a revolution, she couldn’t turn it down. Mary knew the stories of her ancestors and at the point that it dawned upon her that she was part of the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and Sarah’s ancestors she wrote this song. What a remarkable person in history!
Elizabeth Johnson wrote,
“The Magnificat is a revolutionary song of salvation whose political, economic, and social dimensions cannot be blunted. People in need in every society hear a blessing in this canticle.
The battered woman, the single parent without resources, those without food on the table or without even a table, the homeless family, the young abandoned to their own devices,
the old who are discarded:
all are encompassed in the hope Mary proclaims.”
May we find courage in the woman who did what was asked no matter how difficult and know that we will find support and love in life’s journey while doing our part to create a more just and loving world. When we trust, listen, and honor one another, our lives become more meaningful. How glorious it can be to honor God with all our hearts. That is the sincerest path of life.
Dear Ones, we pray for you on this Advent Journey as we prepare once again for Jesus’ birth,
Marta
Rev. Marta Wheeler
To view or download a PDF version of this devotional, click here: Devotional MW 2022-12-08