As many of you know, I like
musicals. I like how musicals tell
stories through music and dance. I like
how they add flair and class to what would normally be an ordinary discourse or
scene. How they express feelings like
love, joy, sadness, and fear in music.
How they can make you smile, laugh, or cry . . . make you see life or
someone or something in a different way.
Musicals just make you feel good.
Now, I know that musicals are
entertainment . . . that they are not “real” life. People do not just break out in song and
dance in everyday life. No, “real” life
is a far cry from what is seen in musicals.
If you or I were to be walking down the street and suddenly break out in
a song and dance . . . well, I imagine that law enforcement would not be too
far behind us, or that people would clear out.
In “real” life, people just do not break out in song and dance like they
do in a musical. If you or I did that,
people would look at us funny.
At times in my life, I have wondered why
life is not more like a musical . . . wondered why more people did not break
out in spontaneous song and dance routines when the feeling hit them. Come on, admit it . . . we have all had those
moments in our lives when we just wanted to break out in a song and dance
because we were overwhelmed with emotions.
Yet, we didn’t. We didn’t because
life ain’t a musical . . .
. . . but, it oughta be.
Apparently in our scripture reading this
morning we are witnessing a moment in which life seems to imitate a
musical. In our reading we have Mary
breaking out in song in response to her overwhelming emotions about the love,
grace, and blessing she feels as the chosen one to bear the child of God. In most bibles, Luke, chapter one, verses 46
through 55, is titled “Mary’s Song”. The
words written are referred to as a song . . . Mary breaks out in a song to express
what she is feeling . . . and, it is beautiful.
In its beauty, it moves us . . . touches our hearts, as we feel the
emotions that she is attempting to express.
It conveys its message in different way.
It makes us feel good.
And, why shouldn’t it. In the words that Mary shares she conveys the
fact that God is coming to save and free us.
That in a time of great darkness . . . of time of political upheaval,
violence, injustice, and difficulties . . . there is hope. Hope is God intervening into the world to
bring grace, love, hope, and joy. God is
coming into the world. That is pretty
overwhelming news . . . and, she is the instrument in which it will be
possible. That is more than enough to
make anyone want to burst out in a song and dance . . . and, our reading tells
us that is exactly what Mary did. Though
she skipped the dance, she did break out in song.
I like that there is this musical
interlude thrown right smack in the middle of this journey of Advent that we
have all been a part of for the past couple of weeks. I like it because it kind of sums up all the
emotions we feel as we enter into the final days of this journey . . . as we
wrap up all of our preparations . . . to receive this “gift”—the presence of
God into the world and our lives. Thus
it is that we, too, should break out into song because we are looking forward
to something that is better than the violence and suffering and injustice that
is all around us in the world in which we live.
We break out into song because we look forward to the kindness and generosity
and compassion of our God being fulfilled for the peoples of the world through
this gift that we are offered and receive.
That, my friends, is something worth
singing about!
But, alas, this is “real” life and in
“real” life people just do not go about breaking into song and dance whenever
they feel like it. How sad it is . . .
just imagine how much more pleasant life would be if we all started our days
with song. When you think about it, it
takes someone with a whole lot of gumption and confidence in him or herself to
live life as if it is a musical . . . to just break out in song and dance
whenever he or she felt move to do it. I
know that I am not describing myself . . . I can’t carry a tune in a bucket . .
. I dance like a fish flopping out of water . . . and, the only ones who
appreciate my efforts at such song and dance are my grandchildren! So, you aren’t going to find me pulling a
Mary . . . not breaking out in song and dance.
I am not sure how well Mary could sing,
but the message is behind the act and words.
The writer of the Gospel of Luke
is telling us that Mary was so overwhelmed with emotion that she expressed her
joy through song. Remember the first words of her song: “My soul glorifies the Lord and
my spirit rejoices in God my savior . . .”
Through song, Mary lets it all out.
And, so should we.
I am not saying that we should all break
out in song and dance whether we are overwhelmed with emotion—good or bad—like
in a musical. No, what I am saying is
that we should not be shy in expressing our emotions—good or bad—about our
faith in a God who loves us, cares for us, and is with us. We should let it out. Remember, the simplest prayer that anyone
could ever say to God is “thank you”.
As we are entering into the final days
of our journey . . . the final days of our preparations to receive this “gift”
from God, we need embrace our confidence in what our faith is . . . in the
knowledge of what God is doing . . . to allow our joy to spring forth. We need to sing in thanksgiving, in
celebration, in remembrance, and in proclamation of the promise that was made
to our ancestors and to us—God is with us.
Even though life ain’t a musical, it oughta be. In these final days, allow yourself to
express your joy through whatever means it is that it takes for this “gift” we
receive. Echo the words of Mary’s song “. .
. for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.”
Go ahead . . . sing . . . dance. God will love it! Amen!
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