Sermon Tone Analysis

Scripture Reading:

Sunday Scripture Reading: Introduction

Introduction

Unwed mothers are called many things, but even today, “blessed” is not usually one of them.

In fact, Old Testament law goes so far as to say that an unmarried woman found to be pregnant should be brought to the entrance of her father’s home and stoned to death ().

There are other laws with similar statements of condemnation toward unwed mothers, and none of them include the word “blessed.”

Unwed mothers are called many things, but even today, “blessed” is not usually one of them.

In fact, Old Testament law goes so far as to say that an unmarried woman found to be pregnant should be brought to the entrance of her father’s home and stoned to death ().

There are other laws with similar statements of condemnation toward unwed mothers, and none of them include the word “blessed.”

Traveling the distance to see not just a relative but one who is married to a priest would probably be a daunting task for an unwed mother like Mary.

The news may have traveled that Elizabeth has conceived a child in her old age, but it’s also possible that Mary may be unaware.

Like, the news may have traveled to Elizabeth that Mary is with child, but she might also be unaware.

Since this is before a standard postal service or telephones, there is a likely possibility that neither knows about the other.

Concern for what could happen may have crossed Mary’s mind, but she goes anyway, likely unsure of what the response will be.

This is a very important concept to remember when we are reading this passage.

Mary had everything to lose and nothing to gain when people found out she was with child.

Even Traveling the distance to see not just a relative but one who is married to a priest would probably be an overwhelming emotional stress for an unwed mother like Mary.

While the news may have traveled that Elizabeth has conceived a child in her old age, it is also possible that Mary may be unaware.

Like, the news may have traveled to Elizabeth that Mary is with child, but she might also be unaware.

Since this is before a standard postal service or telephones, there is a likely possibility that neither knows about the other.

Concern for what could happen may have crossed Mary’s mind, Would they accept me, Will they love me, Will they embrace me and most or all will they believe me?

All of these questions had to be weighing on Mary’s mind.

She goes anyway, likely unsure of what the response will be.

But the response is not one of condemnation, or a call for a stoning—but of blessing.

But the response is not one of condemnation,or a call for a stoning—but of blessing.

Blessings are poured out upon Mary as they reflect on the promise of God and the fulfillment that is unfolding even as they stand there together.

They stand in hopeful expectation that the promises of old are being fulfilled in their midst.

And in response, Mary sings.

But the response is not one of condemnation, or a call for a stoning—but of blessing.

But the response is not one of condemnation, or a call for a stoning—but of blessing.

Blessings are poured out upon Mary as they reflect on the promise of God and the fulfillment that is unfolding even as they stand there together.

They stand in hopeful expectation that the promises of old are being fulfilled in their midst.

And in response, Mary sings....Yes Mary sings.

Body

Body

1. Mary’s song is one of God’s promises being fulfilled and an act of resistance to the oppression they have faced.

1. Mary’s song is one of God’s promises being fulfilled and an act of resistance to the op- pression they have faced.

a.

This parallels in some ways the songs of Moses and Miriam after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea ().

Miriam, from whom Mary’s very name likely came, was a worship leader for the children of Israel, and here again, Mary leads a song of worship that parallels songs she likely heard as a child.

a.

This parallels in some ways the songs of Moses and Miriam after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea ().

Miriam, from whom Mary’s very name likely came, was a worship leader for the children of Israel, and here again, Mary leads a song of worship that parallels songs she likely heard as a child.

A song of deliverance and God’s faithfulness.

While Miriam was singing of deliverance from the Egyptians and the miracle of crossing the Red Sea, Mary is singing of deliverance from the oppression of the Roman Empire and the miracle of the Messiah coming.

Both songs refer to the mighty arm of God.

There is a theme of strength and power; where people feel weak and vulnerable, God is powerful to save.

The right hand/arm speaks of authority and strength.

Despite the seeming authority of the world, the declaration is that God is ultimately the authority.

iii.

Songs of resistance and prophecy about the downfall of an oppressive empire.

The Egyptians were a mighty empire who kept the Israelites as slaves.

A song of deliverance and God’s faithfulness.

While Miriam was singing of deliverance from the Egyptians and the miracle of crossing the Red Sea, Mary is singing of deliver- ance from the oppression of the Roman Empire and the miracle of the Messiah coming.

The Romans also flourish at the expense of the Jewish people.

These songs spoke words of resistance to these powerful regimes, that their days were numbered and the downtrodden would flourish.

While the people have been living in oppression, hunger, and poverty, Mary’s song speaks of a kingdom where the script is flipped and the hungry and poor will be fed and restored.

This new kingdom is in complete opposition to the current kingdoms of the world

Mary sings in the right now so that, while the promise is in the process of being fulfilled, she is declaring with her words a new reality that they can live into even in the midst of its unfolding.

She uses a powerful prophetic imagination to help others live into hope.

This new kingdom is in complete opposition to the current kingdoms of the world

Mary sings in present tense so that, while the promise is in the process of being fulfilled, she is declaring with her words a new reality that they can live into even in the midst of its unfolding.

She uses a powerful prophetic imagination to help others live into hope.

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Mary sings in present tense so that, while the promise is in the process of being fulfilled, she is declaring with her words a new reality that they can live into even in the midst of its unfolding.

She uses a powerful prophetic imagination to help others live into hope.

The kingdom of God that was being ushered in with Jesus was something to be grasped and lived into, even in the midst of its unfolding through Mary.

While Mary is declared to be blessed, she is not blessed for her own sake but, rather, for the sake of the world.

Both songs refer to the mighty arm of God.

There is a theme of strength and power; where people feel weak and vulnerable, God is powerful to save.

The right hand/arm

While Elizabeth speaks words of blessing over Mary, Mary speaks words of hope and blessing for those who are oppressed.

She does not just receive the blessing but, in her song, declares blessing over all the people of Israel.

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She declares the faithfulness of God in tearing down rulers of this world and meeting the needs of the poor.

The Messiah is coming to bless everyone through the ushering in of a new kingdom.

She speaks of the mercy of God for all the children of Israel, not just for her.

Mercy was not some- thing to be hoarded; rather, all people experience mercy through the coming of Christ.

We also have a song to sing.

11

As people who know the end of the Advent story, who know of the faithfulness of God through Jesus, we can declare the hope and fulfillment of promise even as we wait for the not-yet of the kingdom of God to be fulfilled in our midst.

We know the hope to come even as we live at times in the shadow of death.

We declare resurrection hope and mercy, even in the midst of dead places as people of promise.

We declare resurrection hope and mercy, even in the midst of dead places as people of promise.

We are to sing songs of hope.

We are to sing songs of peace, unity and justice.

We sing these songs because of Jesus.

Not to advance some militant secular philosophy.

But to advance the delivered promised hope of Jesus...

We sing these songs because of Jesus.

Not to advance some militant secular philosophy.

But to advance the delivered promised hope of Jesus...

As we read through the words of Mary, we also reflect on the life of Christ, who cared for the oppressed, the poor, and the weak.

We stand in solidarity and hope for the oppressed of the world.

As we read through the words of Mary, we also reflect on the life of Christ, who cared for the oppressed, the poor, and the weak.

We stand in the gap with them and hope for the oppressed of the world.

Songs can remind us of who we are and give us the strength to stand when we feel like we cannot.

1. Mary’s song has been passed down for centuries, like the song of Miriam before her.

These songs of worship serve to remind us that we belong to a different kingdom.

Songs can remind us of who we are and give us the strength to stand when we feel like we cannot.

1. Mary’s song has been passed down for centuries, like the song of Miriam before her.

1. Mary’s song has been passed down for centuries, like the song of Miriam before her.