A Time for Renewal (Mary’s Magnificat)

 A Time for Renewal

-Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56)-

 

12.1.24.

Hodgdon UMC

<歌舞音曲 (가무음곡)>

歌舞音曲 (가무음곡) means song, dance, and music are connected as one. Have you ever been so moved by a song that you started dancing without thinking? I heard square dancing was once popular here, with people gathering every Thursday at the rec center. At Mars Hill UMC, there were professional dancers, and people parked downtown to spend time together on weekends. When was the last time you danced or sang happily?

In high school, I was an emcee for a festival. My partner and I performed a tango before going on stage. I practiced all summer, bending my back repeatedly. We danced behind a curtain, with our shadows reflected on it, and tore it down as we began hosting. That was my first and last tango.

Now, let me ask: When was the last time you danced or sang to praise God? Last week, I heard the Knowles family, especially Mark, danced joyfully to Give Thanks and got a round of applause. At the same time, I was dancing to the same song at Mars Hill.

Just as Miriam danced after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20-21), the Israelites danced joyfully during feasts (Psalm 149:3, 150:4), and David danced with all his heart, unaware his pants were falling, when was the last time you praised God with such joy that you couldn’t help but dance?

Last week, I gave thanks despite my entire family being sick. Seven of us took turns rushing to the bathroom, and someone asked what I had fed them! I had no energy to dance or sing. I spent my days just trying to get through.

Sometimes we feel too tired or sad to sing or dance. Maybe the holiday season reminds you of loved ones who are gone. As we age, some of us stop dancing or singing because our bodies ache. When we’re in pain—physically, mentally, or spiritually—it’s hard to sing, dance, or praise God with joy.

 

<A Time for Mourning>

- Barren Mothers, Chosen Children

In the Bible, many experienced deep sorrow. Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel could not have children for years. Why did God wait until Abraham and Sarah were so old to give them a child? Why did Rebekah and Isaac, the promised son, wait so long? Why did Jacob have to wait for Rachel’s children?

Hannah, also barren, endured Peninnah’s cruel teasing and prayed with such sorrow that people thought she was drunk. Naomi, who lost her husband and two sons in Moab, returned home with her daughter-in-law Ruth and asked to be called "Mara," meaning "bitterness," instead of "Naomi," meaning "joy." She felt broken, like other barren women.

In Luke’s Gospel, Elizabeth, though righteous with her husband Zechariah, also had no children for many years.

 

- Praying Fathers for Israel and All Nations

It wasn’t just women who waited in sorrow. Men like Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Elijah, and Nehemiah carried the burdens of their people and prayed for new life, a new kingdom, and a new covenant.

All the greats of the Bible faced times of mourning, unable to sing or dance. They endured dark times, like the 400 years of silence between Malachi and Matthew, when God sent no prophet, king, or Messiah.

 

<A Time for Dancing>

In the silence, a poor and unknown girl named Mary waited and hoped for the Messiah. God chose her to be His mother. When the angel Gabriel appeared, he said, "Do not be afraid, woman favored by God. You will give birth to a son, the Messiah." Mary asked, “How can this happen?” My children have been asking how babies are born, so I’ve been explaining it with books and drawings. Maybe Mary, like a curious child, asked the angel, “How can this happen?”

The angel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and God’s power would make it happen. He also told her that her elderly relative Elizabeth was pregnant, which must have felt like a miracle. Filled with faith, Mary responded, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord,” trusting God’s word would come true.

Mary’s song, the Magnificat in Latin, is a humble confession of faith, focused on God’s greatness and His promise of salvation. She thanked Him for lifting the humble, feeding the hungry, and showing mercy. “He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant,” Mary said, declaring, “From now on, all generations will call me blessed.” I believe Mary didn’t just sing quietly—she likely praised God with music and dance, expressing the joy of her confession.

Mary’s song echoes the praises of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Naomi, and Elizabeth. It also reminds us of David dancing with joy when the Ark of the Covenant returned and Nehemiah celebrating after rebuilding the wall. Mary, rejoicing in God’s faithfulness, sang and danced with joy. Those who once mourned now began praising and dancing. God is the God of the brokenhearted.

 

<A Time for Renewal>

A few months ago, I watched a movie about Gladys Aylward, a Chinese missionary, and it has stayed with me. She was a maid with little education who felt called to serve in China. Despite warnings about danger, lack of money, and her qualifications, she traveled through war-torn Russia to reach China. Gladys faced many hardships but didn’t give up. During the war, she led over 100 children to safety, walking with them on a mountain path for 27 days. Though she had no strength to sing or dance at first, she was met with applause and joy upon arrival. Her heart was filled with gratitude, and she inspired everyone to join in her celebration.

Each day, I pray for God to reveal the people we are called to serve, just as Jesus came for the poor and forgotten. I ask God to guide my family and our church to see those in need. While I don’t fully understand why God sent us to this place or how much we can accomplish, I trust Him to show His plan. Praying isn’t always easy. At times, I feel like a barren woman longing for hope or like Jeremiah, weeping for his people. Last night, I dreamed of a small ray of light entering my body—a tiny, clear, bright light. It reminded me of Mary when she conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit. I woke up with peace and joy, realizing something profound.

God, who created the universe, came to Earth as a tiny baby. When Jesus was conceived, He was as small as a dot from a pen, yet Mary knew He would become the Savior. She sang a hymn of faith, believing God’s promise when Jesus was the size of a dot. That tiny child grew in her womb, where her presence felt as vast as the universe to Him as a human. He was born as Jesus, and we celebrate His birth on Christmas. But Christmas isn’t just a memory. Jesus lives in us now through the Holy Spirit. He may start small, like a tiny holy seed, but He grows within us, becoming the Mighty God who can do incredible things as He created the universe.

The phrase "God is greater than the highs and lows" reminds us that God is constant and sovereign no matter what happens in life. It means that during moments of great joy (highs) or deep sorrow and difficulty (lows), God’s love, strength, and wisdom remain steadfast.

Are we weary? Are we broken? Do we truly understand the struggles of barren women and the prayers of fathers for the nations? It’s time for renewal. Their songs remind us of hope. Mary’s Magnificat proclaims God’s promise fulfilled through Jesus Christ. As we begin the first week of Advent, let us invite Jesus into our hearts. Let Him grow within us. He will give us vision. He will open our eyes to those who need our help. He will fill our hearts with joy, enabling us to praise and dance alongside others. It’s time for renewal!