Reading the scripture this time, it occurs to me that Mary being "overshadowed" by the Holy Spirit and having a sexual experience are not mutually exclusive. Perhaps she needed the Holy Spirit to overshadow her ideas about sex, marriage and society's constraints to "get the show on the road" so to speak. Perhaps life just couldn't wait any longer to bring Jesus into the world. How I love all of the reclamations possible in this story!
Happy Christmas Eve to you and Richard! Thank your this wonderful journey through advent. I enjoyed every single day and will continue to enjoy through the Christmas season. Mary to me is ever present, she is Mother, comforter, both server and bearer of the most Holy. Simply because she said Yes.
Like Diane, I have come into a deconstructed faith out of a fundamentalist mindset that has opened my spirit up to new ways of seeing the world. So much brighter. So much more colorful. So much more grace filled. I want to challenge us all who are moving into a new way of being post patriarchal to amend our language a bit. Try reading the Magnificat without the male language for God. Replace the 'hes' with either God, I AM, or Divine Presence or whatever words resonate with your spirit and soul. (Try to avoid 'lord' as that is complicated in another way). Just to hear how naming God beyond male expands the words of the prophecy and the knowledge Mary had of a cosmic God. The greatest gifts we can give each other and the world in overcoming the patriarchy is learning to name God as God who is more than male.
Thank you over and over for this week of incredible joy in music and heartfelt thanksgiving that I have been introduced to musicians such as Carrie Newcomer. May you and your work continue to be blessed.
I had never thought of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a prophet. Thank you for this thought-provoking Advent journey, and for weaving in Isaiah. You have enriched the lives of many as we come to Christmas Eve.
Dec 24, 2023·edited Dec 24, 2023Liked by Diana Butler Bass
I no longer can think of Mary and this season without remembering, Libbie Schrader. Different Mary, I know, but now they are tied together as I cannot think about Mary as the mother of Jesus without thinking of Mary Magdalene. And I can't help thinking that they knew each other. Thank you for the caid video.
The significance of Mary as prophet is often lost at Christmas. She was not only the Christ-bearer, but the Truth-bearer, and we are so much the richer.
I am touched by the story of the Spaffords and will always find the hymn more meaningful.
Years ago it struck me that there is almost certainly a hidden meaning in the phrase "my spirit rejoices in God my savior". In Hebrew "God-My-Savior" is the meaning of the name "Jesus", so (I think) Mary is basically saying "my spirit rejoices in Jesus...." It transformed the whole canticle for me. A blessed Christmas to everyone!
On this "double day" of Advent 4 and Christmas Eve, I'm sending you every good wish for all the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love which you have shared with us every day of this beautiful season of waiting for the Light. May your health continue to rebound and your happiness ever unfold in new ways in 2024. Christmas Blessings!
Reading the scripture this time, it occurs to me that Mary being "overshadowed" by the Holy Spirit and having a sexual experience are not mutually exclusive. Perhaps she needed the Holy Spirit to overshadow her ideas about sex, marriage and society's constraints to "get the show on the road" so to speak. Perhaps life just couldn't wait any longer to bring Jesus into the world. How I love all of the reclamations possible in this story!
Happy Christmas Eve to you and Richard! Thank your this wonderful journey through advent. I enjoyed every single day and will continue to enjoy through the Christmas season. Mary to me is ever present, she is Mother, comforter, both server and bearer of the most Holy. Simply because she said Yes.
Like Diane, I have come into a deconstructed faith out of a fundamentalist mindset that has opened my spirit up to new ways of seeing the world. So much brighter. So much more colorful. So much more grace filled. I want to challenge us all who are moving into a new way of being post patriarchal to amend our language a bit. Try reading the Magnificat without the male language for God. Replace the 'hes' with either God, I AM, or Divine Presence or whatever words resonate with your spirit and soul. (Try to avoid 'lord' as that is complicated in another way). Just to hear how naming God beyond male expands the words of the prophecy and the knowledge Mary had of a cosmic God. The greatest gifts we can give each other and the world in overcoming the patriarchy is learning to name God as God who is more than male.
Dona Nobis Pacem
I You-Tubed several versions .... just to hear this wonderful "ask".
Thank you over and over for this week of incredible joy in music and heartfelt thanksgiving that I have been introduced to musicians such as Carrie Newcomer. May you and your work continue to be blessed.
I had never thought of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a prophet. Thank you for this thought-provoking Advent journey, and for weaving in Isaiah. You have enriched the lives of many as we come to Christmas Eve.
Your comments throughout Advent have been so thoughtful, so gracious. A very merry Christmas to you "Abluedot." ❤️
I no longer can think of Mary and this season without remembering, Libbie Schrader. Different Mary, I know, but now they are tied together as I cannot think about Mary as the mother of Jesus without thinking of Mary Magdalene. And I can't help thinking that they knew each other. Thank you for the caid video.
Thank you for your preaching. Here's a poem for you, shared by my pastor, from St. John of the Cross:
If you want
the virgin will come walking down the road
pregnant with the holy,
and say,
‘I need shelter for the night,
please take me inside your heart,
my time is so close.’
Then, under the roof of your soul,
you will witness the sublime intimacy,
the divine,
the Christ taking birth forever,
as she grasps your hand for help,
for each of us is the midwife of God,
each of us.
Yet there,
under the dome of your being
does creation come into existence eternally,
through your womb,
dear pilgrim–
the sacred womb in your soul,
as God grasps our arms for help;
for each of us is his beloved servant
never far.
If you want,
the virgin will come walking
down the street pregnant
with light and sing …
You have been a blessing this advent to countless people...including me. May the blessings bounce back on to you. 😘
The significance of Mary as prophet is often lost at Christmas. She was not only the Christ-bearer, but the Truth-bearer, and we are so much the richer.
I am touched by the story of the Spaffords and will always find the hymn more meaningful.
Thank you for leading us through advent in such a lovely way and introducing us to beautiful music and poetry. Bless you, Diana🙏🏽
Years ago it struck me that there is almost certainly a hidden meaning in the phrase "my spirit rejoices in God my savior". In Hebrew "God-My-Savior" is the meaning of the name "Jesus", so (I think) Mary is basically saying "my spirit rejoices in Jesus...." It transformed the whole canticle for me. A blessed Christmas to everyone!
On this "double day" of Advent 4 and Christmas Eve, I'm sending you every good wish for all the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love which you have shared with us every day of this beautiful season of waiting for the Light. May your health continue to rebound and your happiness ever unfold in new ways in 2024. Christmas Blessings!
Amen!
💞🌟🎄