Through Stained Glass: Advent Word a Day 18 & 19 -- Spirit and Name

Spiri & Name  

The word for the Wednesday of the third week of Advent is Spirit.

I think it comes from Mary’s Magnificat. The part where she sings, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”

Know what I love about this line?

It’s a statement of reflection. She names her source of joy and hope.

Here’s what I mean.

After this line comes this one, “for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name…”

God … has … done … great things.

Okay, Mary keeps going.

"He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

Mary sings about what God has done and, thus, what she knows will be because of the Holy One. So, despite her current reality, the circumstances surrounding her, and the uncertainty, her soul magnifies God, and her spirit rejoices because she knows God is one of liberation. She has heard the stories, and she is preparing for the same thing!

In her song, Mary highlights a few major notes. First, the Herods of history were defeated. For Mary, God's promises alone are enough to accept her role. She understands that, even amid an oppressive empire [redundant], God's past actions serve as proof for her to trust and follow the Holy One into what lies ahead. She also acknowledges, “Yes, I know there are hungry people, and conditions may worsen. But God appears in unexpected and unimaginable ways to provide.”

Mary also does what the prophets and prophetesses did before her. She sings of God’s promises, yes, to comfort those who hear her song – but also to remind God of God’s words. Now, this may seem strange to some. Here’s what I mean – go back and listen to Jeremiah and the other prophets argue with God not to forget what God promised to the people. Even if the promises are unrealized, or appear to be unkept, we remember what God has done for our ancestors in Scripture and for us, and we rejoice knowing it won’t always be this way.

Who are the people in your life who help you remember God’s promise? Who are the people who gave you the faith to name your hopes and fears, and the comfort in God’s with-ness?

My Grandfather's highlights from Isaiah.

Included in today’s post is a photo of a Bald Eagle I snapped along the banks of the Kickapoo Creek. Immediately, I thought of my Grandpa Quine and how his deep faith still comforts me. For the sake of time, I won’t go into why – but take me out for coffee, and I’ll gladly tell you – but through the struggles and celebrations of life, at the end of his life, he proclaimed “To God be the glory.”

One of the last times I visited with him, I asked what his favorite passage from the Bible was. He smirked and said, “Grandson, there are many.” And then he quoted Isaiah 40.31. Of course, he kept going! I smiled.

Indeed, God has done great things – and my spirit rejoices in God who rescues with Love.

What is causing your spirit to rejoice these days? Name them. And if you can’t, that’s okay too. Maybe take time to name those who have lifted your spirits when you needed it most. Maybe name a season when you remember Love lifted your spirits and remember your unshakable goodness. 

Hang in there, friends. Advent is giving way to Love. I can feel it in my soul. Can you?