Fourth Sunday of Advent, RCL Yr c, December 19, 2021
Micah 5:2-5a; Canticle: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55); Luke 1:39-45
Are you familiar with the phrase, “Meanwhile, back at the ranch”? It is thought to have had its origin in the popular western movies of past years, and which, I will admit, I grew up with. After a confrontation in the wastelands of the wild west, the scene would change to a more genteel setting, often the home ranch and a domestic event. The word “meanwhile” expresses something about time – while A was happening in one place, B was going on in another. Meanwhile, in the meantime, for the time being, for now, are often expressions of marking time, of waiting for something else to occur.
As Christians, we live in this time – this time between the birth of the baby Jesus, and the return of the Christ, as we profess in our creeds, “we believe that he will come again . . .” And, while this is a statement of how we live our lives in expectancy, Advent is a season the gives this understanding even more purchase.
On the First Sunday of Advent we began at the end – the fulfilling of the awaited time for Christ’s return, the Parousia. On the next two Sundays we met John the Baptizer, as he proclaimed the imminent coming of God’s Son into the world. And today we approach even more closely the birth of the one known as Saviour, in the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. We are almost there!
But let’s not move too quickly just yet.
Mary’s encounter with Elizabeth has important things to say. Mary, a pregnant teenage girl meets Elizabeth, also pregnant, but far later in life than what would be considered normal. Mary, a young woman pregnant before marriage would very possibly be held in derision by the society of her day. Elizabeth has already been subjected to derision because of her apparent inability to conceive. But the elder Elizabeth acknowledges the younger Mary with words the Eastern Church calls the God-bearer, “the mother of my Lord”, one of many reversals we find both here and in Mary’s song that follows. Elizabeth the older woman blesses both Mary the younger one, but also the child she is carrying.
It was good to hear the Canticle of Mary sung by the choir today in place of the psalm. The Magnificat has played an important role in the worship of the church during the service of Evensong. Sadly, we have all but lost this liturgy, a quiet way of worship at the end of the day. Mary’s song has been sung with the simplicity of Anglican chant, and in glorious settings by a variety of composers of church music. It has also been set in metrical verse to hymn tunes for congregational singing. One of these is the Canticle of Turning by Rory Cooney, a version the emphasizes the theme of reversal found in the words of Mary’s song.
1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?
Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
Mary’s words sing God’s praise, and include the ones who wait – for change, for righting of wrongs, for relief. And they pose a question, “Could the world be about to turn?”, almost on a too-good-to-be-true note.
2. Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.
This second verse continues to offer hope for those who yearn for change, as well as turning the question into an affirmation that the world is indeed about to turn.
3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
ev’ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
There are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.
In this verse we get to the actions that God has promised to take: an end to tyranny, and an end to hunger, “for the world is about to turn.”
4. Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
‘Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.
The final verse brings us into the present, and back to the time being, the meanwhile. In spite of all that goes on around us, we are called to remember the One whose love surrounds us, the One whose mercy delivers us, the One whose saving word holds us. What begins as a question becomes a promise being fulfilled – the world IS turning around.
In a time when strange weather patterns may well emphasize the climate emergency we face; in a time when a pandemic holds us in its grip, with seemingly little sign of abating for many; in a time of darkness as we search for that glimmer of light which assures us that our God is present with us, in each and all of our concerns, and our fears; and in the turning, we hold on to that love and mercy, and we play our part in turning the world around.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
The Reverend Paul Kett
Angus Sinclair was appointed Director of Music of St. John the Evangelist on February 1, 2023. Having graduated in 1981 (Honours B.Mus.) in organ performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, he went on to distinguish himself as a church musician, recitalist and accompanist touring in both Canada and the UK. For over 40 years Angus has served parishes and congregations throughout Southwestern Ontario as director of music. He experiences his present appointment to St. John’s as a welcome homecoming, both spiritually and musically.
As our parish musician, he provides both support and leadership so that a variety of parish programs can find musical expression and attract participation. When our handbell choir is in season, he is one of our ringers. At parish dinners, he provides popular piano music for the guests to dine by. For both worship services and concerts, he will rehearse and accompany vocal and instrumental soloists from our congregation on piano, organ, or even accordion.
Angus Sinclair was appointed Director of Music of St. John the Evangelist on February 1, 2023. Having graduated in 1981 (Honours B.Mus.) in organ performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, he went on to distinguish himself as a church musician, recitalist and accompanist touring in both Canada and the UK. For over 40 years Angus has served parishes and congregations throughout Southwestern Ontario as director of music. He experiences his present appointment to St. John’s as a welcome homecoming, both spiritually and musically.