MARY DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR BABY BOY…
(Today is the First Sunday of Advent)
Did you know three nations have banned Mary’s Magnificat (Mary’s Christmas Song in Luke 1:45-55 if you are unfamiliar with it) in recent times. During the British rule of India, the Magnificat was prohibited from being sung in church. Likewise, in the 1980’s Mary’s words were banned in Guatemala. Argentina’s military junta outlawed Mary’s song as well. The words of a seemingly powerless, penniless 15-year-old girl impacting governments today? No one ever banned Away in The Manger or Santa Baby, though maybe you could make a case for Santa Baby. Mary’s song, at times, has been seen as dangerous, subversive, revolutionary and able to give hope that impossible change is possible.
The German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer recognized the revolutionary nature of Mary’s song. Sometime before being executed by the Nazis, Bonhoeffer spoke these words:
“The song of Mary is the oldest Advent hymn. It is at once the most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary Advent hymn ever sung. This is not the gentle, tender, dreamy Mary whom we sometimes see in paintings.…This song has none of the sweet, nostalgic, or even playful tones of some of our Christmas carols. It is instead a hard, strong, inexorable song about the power of God and the powerlessness of humankind.”
Now, with her marriage in jeopardy, and facing the real threat of being stoned, Mary redefines a better future for the marginalized, downtrodden and hopeless. She even sings about toppling rulers from their thrones… words that could tick some people off or get someone crucified. Most people gullibly thought Caesar and Herod types were running the show, but Mary knew they ruled but God overruled every square inch of Planet Earth.
Every year end, pundits and people prognosticate who’s up, who’s down, who’s in, who’s out, who’s a winner and who is a loser. Mary teaches the Law of Inversion. In the Kingdom of God, up is down and down is up, rulers are often brought down and the humble are lifted up, the hungry find good things and the proud are scattered. The Kingdom of God always threatens smaller Kings and Kingdoms.
It’s no wonder Mary is on fire magnifying the Lord and rejoicing in God her Savior. She was not the object of worship, but she is the example of worship. The real Mary always points to King Jesus and Hope. Do not soften the Magnificat. Mary defiantly clings to God against her unknown future. She knew that God had invaded earth and her home would be the house of God for a time.
Mary pondered these things in her heart. Will you?
Dr. Michael Sprague serves as Louisiana State Chaplain with the Capitol Commission and President of Grace Adventures. He ministers in a non-partisan pastoral role at the Baton Rouge Capitol, offering Bible studies, prayer, and spiritual care to leaders. A former senior pastor, he holds degrees from the University of Maryland, Capital Bible Seminary, and Dallas Theological Seminary. He helped launch Touch Global Crisis Response after Hurricane Katrina and authored two books. Michael does life in Mandeville, LA with his wife Donna. His motto is “Bet the Farm on God,” reflecting his passion to help others know Jesus. You can find more information about Michael here.
Image by DEEPAI
Thank you! … Yes thank you for this informative artical… it isn’t that it is so well written and presented… The message is absolutely clear and a warning to all of us. “Mary did you know” is by far one of our favorite at this Holy time of year. The words of this song draw all of us closer to God and leave each of us humbled and in awe. To think that anyone cannot be impacted with its meaning and importance is beyond my ability to comprehend. Our hearts are heavy to see how others here and abroad have missed the importance of prophecy unfolding in the birth of Jesus Christ our Messiah and Lord…. Amen thank you.