Magnify: A Mixtape Homily for Advent

Christmas is a comin’ and Mary sings:

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness 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.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.”

Not exactly a Christmas carol, the Magnificat, is a biblical song, a canticle, and it is the Evangelist Luke who puts these words on Mary’s lips.

Luke’s Gospel plays out like a pageant. Story, song. Story, song. Story, song. A familiar and lovely thought, and a sad one too. This pandemic year, when churches across the country are not likely to have one – at least not in the traditional way. (But we are going to…