The Christmas season is now fully upon us. Even though we may be celebrating a bit differently, we will be celebrating.
Many of our traditions, celebrations and parties will be curtailed; yet, we still have much to celebrate.
Yes, I said, we have much to celebrate.
We live in interesting times. We have physical, political, medical and grammatical challenges ahead of us, but we still have much to celebrate.
God has never left us and is continuing to bring us through these troubling times. He’s done this before. For instance, look at the world Jesus was born into.
Judea was a conquered province of Rome. The supposed king was a puppet ruler put there by Rome. The Jews really had no rights and were considered second-class citizens. The Sanhedrin, or ruling class of the Jews, had become more like lackeys to Rome, than servants of God. The Romans who were posted there did not want to be there, and the citizens did not want them there.
Every day, there was some turmoil or new rule or new tax. The Jewish people just could not catch a break. And, then it happens.
A young girl, who isn’t even married yet, is told she will be the mother of God’s child. Not only is she going to be an unwed mother (a huge disgrace at the time), but who was going to believe her about the father.
Right off the bat, she is going to have to tell her parents and her fiancé. Mary was in a tough spot.
Yet, she sings what we now know as the Magnificat, (Luke 1:46-56). Her song of praise begins with, “My Soul Magnifies the Lord!”
She does not know how this will all work out, but she just knows that God is in control. She doesn’t know how to be a mom, but she knows she will love and care for the son of God.
Her betrothed husband will be the earthly father, and this child will be loved and cherished.
No one knows what the coming year will bring. We only know what we have lost and gained in this past year.
We all know the changes that have come out of the pandemic. But, as followers of Christ, we also know that God is with us.
So like Mary, we too need to sing out, “My Soul Magnifies the Lord!”
Magnifying the Lord is not just reflecting the image of God that is in us; it is broadcasting that image to everyone we meet. Magnifying is letting people know that God is bigger than any troubles we may be having. It is showing God to the world.
Mary knew this. Amid all the turmoil, confusion and gossip in her village, she still maintained her faith in God and still professed his greatness. This is the example we need to follow as we plunge headlong into this Christmas season.
As Mary sang, so should we, “My Soul Magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Rejoice, be glad, and I hope to see you in church.
Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.