The last week of Advent returns us to the beginning of John’s story, as Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visits Elizabeth, and John leaps within his mothers’ womb. Mary’s song is, of course, one of the highlights of the birth narratives, and carries a powerful justice-proclaiming message.

READINGS:
Micah 5:2-5a: A ruler for God’s people will come from Bethlehem who is a source of peace.

Luke 1:47-55: Mary’s song of praise to the God of justice and mercy.
OR Psalm 80:1-7: A prayer of repentance asking God to turn God’s people back to God and show them mercy.

Hebrews 10:5-10: Jesus’ obedience and sacrifice establishes a new covenant and makes us holy.

Luke 1:39-45 (46-55): Unborn John leaps in Elizabeth’s womb when the pregnant Mary comes to visit.
REFLECTIONS ON THEME:    
The need for repentance, and for God to ‘intervene’ in our world to bring peace, mercy and justice are the strong themes in this week’s readings. Also, there is a sense of great hope and joy because in Jesus God has ‘intervened’ and offered us grace and a new, just way to live.

CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: The work of repentance requires us to take responsibility for our part in the brokenness in our world, acknowledge our responsibility to others. As a society, we do this work by calling our leaders to account, and by responsible participation in the global community – by choosing to act with awareness of the implications of our actions for others. Power is found in this work as we commit to hope, and embrace the signs of growing interconnectedness and collaboration between countries, faiths and sectors of society. These are the signs of Advent in the real world.

LOCAL APPLICATION: The small acts of repentance  toward those we have hurt in our families and communities, and the small acts of turning from apathy to daily justice through learning, participating, voting and teaching, all herald God’s Advent among us in practical ways. Add to this the power of hope in God’s Spirit to empower us, and in Christ’s example to lead us, and we begin to live out the truth that small things really do make a huge difference in the world. These are the signs of Advent in our daily lives.

RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
In Praise Of Small Things
The Turning Dance
Magnificat

Liturgy:
A Liturgy for Advent & Christmas
A Liturgy for the Foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet

Hymns: 
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Just As I Am
Joy To The World
Cradled In A Manger Meanly
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
A King Is Born (Link to site with previews of sheet music and mp3, and downloads available)
That’s Why We Praise Him (Link to YouTube video)
Here I Am To Worship (Link to YouTube video)
Do You Hear What I Hear? (Link to YouTube video)

Video:
Mary’s Song

Additional Advent Resources & Reflections:
Sacredise Advent & Christmas Page
GBOD