Perhaps you feel a sense of real longing this Advent, longing for justice in a world of injustice, yearning for hope and deliverance. This might be a good time to spend the four weeks of Advent reflecting and journaling on Mary’s words in the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55).
Notice that after Mary has been affirmed by her cousin Elizabeth in her knowledge of carrying the Divine within her body, she breaks into a song of exultation and a declaration of God’s concern for justice. Justice will be established in a radical way: through God’s love in sending Jesus. Spend time thinking about what a revolutionary message Mary proclaimed.
Advent is also a good time to be an encourager, an affirmer to others. In a women’s group, we spoke about “Elizabething” one another; that is, affirming God’s call in each other just as Elizabeth did to Mary. We don’t always have a clear sense of our own callings, and it’s helpful to have others tell us what they see in us.
This message is excerpted from “A different kind of journey,” by Sonia Solomonson, a 2011 Women of the ELCA resource.
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Thank you for the reminder of Elizabeth’s role in Mary’s story. Everyday I try to live like my namesake Elizabeth. The older I become, the more I seek to encourage others and actively work for justice in my community. ♥️