Story by Andrew Bolton of Leicester, England
And Mary said, I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened— I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
Based on the Advent Devotion for Families and Households available at https://account-media.s3.amazonaws.com/26072/uploaded/h/0e18630581_1729692500_hope-is-near-advent-2024-23102024.pdf
Open: Light a candle or ring a chime.
Ask: Take a few minutes and ask yourself, “When did I feel hope today or yesterday?”
Listen: In the moral, political, and economic crisis in Israel, Mary sings hope. Her country is being devastated by the brutal, greedy, and oppressive Roman Empire. Four miles away from Nazareth in the town of Sepphoris 2,000 Jewish men would be crucified around the time of the birth of Jesus. It was a warning to those who revolt. Poor peasant farmers were taxed up to 50% of their harvest. Bread was stolen from the children to feed the extravagant desires of the rich and powerful—the 1%. In a bad harvest, small farmers borrowed money on their land, and then when they could not pay, lost their land and became even more vulnerable to hunger.
Pregnant Mary in this crisis sings her hope of a new “kingdom of God” day dawning. First, it will be a moral revolution of the heart, a conversion of the soul, from pride to humility and solidarity with the poor and oppressed. Second, it is an upending of the political. God will bring down the rich and powerful from their thrones and lift up the lowly—the kingdom of God is a political revolution. God is coming as king in a baby soon to be born. Third, it is an economic revolution. God will fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty.
In the crisis of these times, with Mary, we can hope and work for the new normal, Zion normal. Let us seize this time, not to go back to the old normal of injustices but rebuild a new way of justice for all.
Breathe
The season of Advent reminds us that even as we wait for the birth of Christ in our lives and world, God is always with us. Right here, right now—wherever we are and with the ones we love. Take a deep breath and breathe in the presence of God.
Respond
How can you bring hope to others today?
Dance Prayer
Share a dance move that expresses to God how you are feeling today!
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.