A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent
The Rev. Patricia A. Gillespie
Micah 5:2-4
Psalm 80
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-56
This morning is Advent. This evening is Christmas. In a matter of hours we'll be gathering to celebrate the baby's birth. And this morning Mary is singing?
Not too many women spend those last few hours before birth singing. It must have been a really short labor. "My soul magnifies the Lord."? Forget this "soul" stuff: "My BODY magnifies the Lord."
Mary has put her life on the line for this event. It is her body and her blood that bring God into the world. Birth isn't easy. It's hard work to bring God into the world. No wonder the bible tells us that she was perplexed. You've gotta wonder if Mary had any clue what she was getting into.
And yet, Elizabeth's unborn child, who will be called John the Baptizer, seems to know what Mary has gotten herself into. The baby John leaps for joy in his mother's womb. The unborn child recognizes and celebrates God's presence in the world. And Elizabeth recognizes her child's joy and blesses her young cousin Mary.
You know, in the church we spend a lot of time talking about and praying about how we are "made in the image of God." Or about "Christ living in us" and "seeing Christ in one another." That's a pretty hard act to follow. Sure, I'd like to think that I can "be Christ" for someone sometime. But that's pretty intimidating and scary. A rather bigger job than I feel qualified for. Most of the time I feel more like Elizabeth. I'm not even up to "bringing Christ to birth in the world" like Mary. But I think I just might manage occasionally to do what Elizabeth does: to recognize Christ and rejoice in God's presence.
When we take the time to be attentive, there is something in each of us responds to God's presence. And I think our world is in great need of Elizabeths: those people who point out God's presence in others and celebrate it.
Of course, Elizabeth's role is not always an easy one – after all she too had to be pregnant to do her work. Not just pregnant: old and pregnant. It was a job no one thought her capable of doing. Her own husband even had the nerve to question the angel Gabriel when he brought the news of Elizabeth's pregnancy.
It seems that even those who are imminently unqualified might be chosen to help in this ministry. It could happen to you or to me ... to be chosen to carry something inside that is filled with the Holy Spirit.
Is there not something inside each of us that does leap with joy whenever we experience something truly lifegiving and loving? When we watch a young father touch his newborn daughter's hand. When we glimpse an intimate, teasing poke between a couple on their 50th anniversary. When we hear of a teacher's patience with a troubled student or of medical professionals paying their way to serve in third world countries. It's what makes some of us cry at weddings or baptisms. It is God's presence among us. It is Christ at work.
Which of us then has the courage of Elizabeth to announce God's presence, to say "Blessed are you!"? For surely, in those moments of love and life and growth, when something inside of us leaps with joy, God is at work in our world. Let us not be afraid to name it.