 |
Lauren W. Reliford The season of Advent holds a special meaning for me because it reminds me of the power of a mother’s love. While I know “Jesus is the reason for the season,” I cannot help but shift my attention to the woman who brought him into the world — and what she had to endure to birth him. I think, too, about the pain she must have felt cradling her son’s broken body when they took him off the cross. I reflect on how special God must have thought Mary was to choose her to bear his son. Given the maternal mortality and morbidity epidemic in our own country, this year’s Advent seems like an appropriate time to reflect on what Mother Mary’s role in the story is and how we can extend our reverence and love for her to women in our society today. Though the Gospel of Luke is the only place in scripture that mentions Jesus' manger, its imagery is a Christmas decoration staple. As a small child of 3 or 4, what most stood out to me in the nativity story was that Mary had a baby in a stable. Earlier that summer, I had visited a petting zoo on a nursery school trip and, though enjoyable, it was definitely not a place for a new baby. I didn’t understand why no one would take in a woman who clearly needed help; I thought the people at the inn were bad because they didn’t give up a room. I thought about my mom and how it would make me sad if she had been treated like Mary. For me, Mary became an example of God’s promise of love — that God would raise up the people society deemed unimportant and become powerful voices for liberation. In fact, in Luke 1:46-55, we hear Mary — the seemingly timid teenager who said yes to God’s plan — raise her voice as she visits Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. In the Magnificat, or song of praise, Mary claims her place in the story and reminds us of God’s plan to dethrone the powerful and lift up the lowly.
|
ADVERTISEMENT |
 |
Our Latest Our 2021 Book Roundup to Inspire Faith and Justice (by Betsy Shirley) Here's what Sojourners writers and editors read this year. 24 Christmas Quotes About Faith and Justice (by Olivia Bardo) At its core, the Christmas story is radical. Student Govt. Says Black Icon ‘Serves To Further Divide’ Campus (by Madison Muller) Catholic University's student government association said in a resolution that the icon by Kelly Latimore is “blasphemous, offensive, and at the very least confusing.” ‘Spencer’ Is the Ultimate I-Won't-Be-Home-for-Christmas Film (by Jenna Barnett) Kristen Stewart's Princess Diana brings surrealism and tragedy to the onslaught of royal Christmas movies. |
ADVERTISEMENT |
 |
From the Magazine Pregnant Hope (by Adam Russell Taylor) Mary reminds us that, ultimately, the mighty will be brought down from their thrones and the hungry will be filled with good things. |
ADVERTISEMENTS | ||||
100 sermons on sexual and domestic violence Scripture is not silent on abuse, but these stories are often missing in our Sunday morning teachings. You can change this! Visit our 100 Sermons on Sexual and Domestic Violence collection and be equipped to tackle these biblical accounts and speak out on sexual and domestic violence. Politically Divided Congregations: Reconciliation & Transformation Curriculum This curriculum provides a biblical framework, tools, and tips for politically divided churches to create space for civil dialogue around social and political issues. Designed to be sensitive to the challenges faced by congregations that are politically divided while providing a theological foundation for transformative, faith-inspired engagement in justice work.
|
Copyright © 2021 Sojourners, All rights reserved. Sojourners | 408 C St. NE | Washington, DC 20002 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842 |
No comments:
Post a Comment