FROM THE PASTOR
Mary, Did You Know?
Once every three years, our lectionary gives us Mary’s song. A joyous proclamation of her faith in what would become a defining moment for her as she stands in the doorway of Elizabeth’s house. And every three years, there seems to be debate and conversation on social media regarding the song, “Mary, did you know?” This year was no different. And as we move into this 4th week of advent and hear Mary’s song, I can across a reflection on this exact topic from Timothy Marcus Smith, ELCA Bishop of the North Carolina Synod that I wanted to share as a part of this week’s Pastors Blog:
So, I totally get that Mary knew. But can we point that out kindly and, Luther’s-explanation-to-8th-commandment-style, paint our neighbor’s actions (lyrics?) in the best possible light? After all, don’t you think it’s a flat-out lie that “the little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes?” And we know that there weren’t any kings at all in the biblical narrative except Herod. They were magi, Zoroastrians, astrologers, from the east, and nowhere does it mention how many there were. Also, clear as can be, by the time they visited the baby, it was in a house (oikos, Mt. 2:11), not a stable, which was likely where the shepherds visited on that first night since it wasn’t at all uncommon to bring the animals in the house at night to provide safety for them and warmth for the family (thus the manger inside).
The songs exercise poetic license. Same with Good Christian Friends Rejoice. Honestly, on what authority do they claim that “ox and ass before him bow?” That’s made up. Speculation. As for Silent Night—well, have you ever been around a woman in childbirth or the scurrying aftermath of a baby you actually want to scream its little lungs out? How about the statistical likelihood that Jesus was born In the Bleak Midwinter? False assumptions from conflating the Christmas celebration with the pagan Roman Saturnalia festival.
Don’t even get me started on the little drummer boy. So, here’s the thing. All of our academic study and pondering aside, if we’re setting out to deconstruct, let’s give all the songs and legends and even the rhetorical questions equal time. Or perhaps, in deference to the Prince of Peace whose birth we celebrate, we might ease up a wee bit on our neighbor who is struggling to glean and worship the power and mystery of Emmanuel, God with us.
What music settles with you this time of year? Which songs bring your hope, comfort and joy and which have always struck you as a bit odd? The good news is that there is room for all of them!
Pastor Sally
