The Courage and Witness of Mary

                                                        The Annunciation -- Henry Oswald Tanner

2 For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,

while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,

and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth

O Little Town of Bethlehem Voices United 64

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 for he has looked with favour on the lowly state 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;
 indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
    and lifted up the lowly... 

From Mary's Song of Praise -- Luke 1:46-52 NRSVue

 I was awake very early this morning for no good reason other than a realization that our crowded Christmas feast will be greatly reduced thanks to the Winter storm which has paralysed much of the province, and the country for that matter. We will celebrate those with us and try not to mourn the absence of others. 

I've been pondering Mary, the young peasant Jewish mother of  Yeshua -- Jesus. The gospel of Luke tells of her courage, her willingness to step toward rather than away from the angel's news that she will give birth to the promised Messiah. In some traditions Mary is both venerated and characterized as a vessel through which the love of God is expressed. Somehow we must "see" this Mary, Miriam, Maryam, as more than a symbol, as a fully realized person of faith who could hear the call of God in such a unique way. If Jesus is God Incarnate then Mary was the forerunner of this embodiment through that miraculous reality of birth. The story is both mystical and grounded in human experience. 

Today I think of young woman in Iran and Afghanistan, most of whom are of another faith which has been twisted by men in power to oppress them. They have courage which has come with a cost, at times death. Most Christians wouldn't be aware that in Islam Mary is considered one of the most righteous women to have ever lived and some regard her as a prophet. In the Quran there is a verse "O Mary, God has chosen you, and purified you; He has chosen you above all the women of creation."

In the darkness I pray for justice and freedom for all, but especially today for women who are oppressed around the world, including those in our country who may live in fear of violence. I pray for the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, including their sisters and mothers and daughters who will not let their memories perish.  

I know, this is heavy stuff on a Christmas morning! I appreciate that many of you are faithful readers and it's always good to hear from you. 

I do wish you joy and the peace of Christ in this day. Blessings to you all, in the name of Christ, born of Mary. 

May the blessing of the God of Sarah and Hagar, as of Abraham,

the blessing of the Son, born of the woman Mary,

and the blessing of the Spirit, who broods over us as a mother her children,

be with you all. Amen.

Voices United 428 Lois Wilson