Seven-Day Practical Faith Blog: Topsy-Turvy Tenets

Mary the mother of Jesus does not have much to say in the gospels. But her longest quotation packs a punch, because it overturns our thinking about God.

When pregnant Mary visits her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit wells up within Mary, and she breaks into a praise song called the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55, NIV).

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Rachel Held Evans wrote that the Magnificat shows God has indeed chosen sides. Throughout the ages, and even now, people have been misled to think God must clearly favor kings and the rich because they have power and wealth.

I discuss in my Advent video study, "The Misfits of Christmas," how Mary turns upside down this notion of kingly and wealthy favor. Instead, she proclaims how God has deposed the rulers and elevated the humble.

God has fed the hungry and left the rich to fend for themselves.

God is merciful toward those who respect and rely on God but confuses those whose pride steers them from such respect and reliance.

God is the great promise keeper. And Jesus is the greatest promise, the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham that all the world's families would be blessed through his lineage.

Mary announces a topsy-turvy tenet, illustrating how God's thinking is unlike our thinking. In this Advent season, let us recalibrate our thinking to align with God's. Then, as we traverse our practical faith journey, we'll become more attuned to the ways in which God truly works in the world. Let us emulate God's prioritization, mercy, and promise keeping.

Get into the Christmas spirit by listening to the latest Practical Faith Academy podcast. Lee Allen wrote and his wife Donna Allen illustrated "The Special Guest," a beloved Christmas book written originally for their children. It has been re-released in a 30th anniversary edition. In our conversation, we talk about their faith, the book's themes of forgiveness, and the importance of family. Check it out by clicking on Podcast on the Cecil Taylor Ministries website or by searching for "Practical Faith Academy" on your favorite listening platform.