Pageantry
We made our way to Northfield last Sunday. Our granddaughter, Rosie, had the role of baby Jesus in First UCC’s annual Christmas pageant. She did great smiling at all the shepherds, angels and creatures. In additions to the usual sheep and cows, the animals included a hamster, a chicken and a narwal.
I always loved pageant Sunday when I served as local church pastor. There would be the chaotic rehearsals, pre-schoolers in halos singing “Away in the Manger” and a young Mary trying her best to sooth the youngest member of our congregation. It was a bit tricky in the casting not to show to much favor to your own daughters for this coveted part.
Our daughter, Hannah did get the part one year. It was for her 10th birthday which fell near that particular pageant Sunday. We had named her Hannah after the biblical Hannah in I Samuel. When that Hannah, who has been childless, learns that she shall have a son, she offers a prayer. “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God.” She goes on to speak of the God who lifts up the poor and broken.
Hannah’s prayer finds it’s way to Mary’s mouth in Luke’s Magnificat. Mary too knew about miraculous births and continues Hannah’s words of joy and justice for all people. Women normally silenced have something crucial to say to the powerful forces at work in their world.
At times I am still in awe that these words have been left in our scriptures which are normally so patriarchal. For example, Mary is silent through out most of the Bible. In Matthew, Mary is mute, she never speaks a word. For his part, the Apostle Paul tells us that God’s son was born of a woman, but he never mentions her name. Thank goodness for Luke. Luke shows us a Mary whose words and life must have shaped so much of Jesus’ ministry. From the very beginning, Mary sings out astonishing news of liberation.
She sings a song for all who in their poverty and oppression still believe that God will make a way for them. Mary, this woman whose very name means rebellion, sings out a song of a God who will fill the hungry with good things and will scatter the proud of heart.
“He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imaginations 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. “
We are invited to join Mary in her song, just as the congregation was invited to join in the Christmas pageant last Sunday in Northfield. They had extra costumes for every part. You could be a shepherd in recognition of all those who were considered outsiders, but who God choose to be the first to learn of the child. Or you could be an angel with Good News for all people. Or you could even a star to guide those from far away to a place of welcome.
The pageantry continues. But just as Mary’s song was so unusual, so is the story that we are asked to take part in now. May you too find your place at the manger.
Maybe you will even be Mary and say, ”Here I am, servant of the Lord.”
