Song of Divine Reversal
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Scriptures: Luke 1:42-56
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Summary: In the first sermon of our new series, Advent the Musical, Bobbi explores Mary’s Magnificat as a revolutionary and prophetic song. Bobbi starts by comparing Mary and Elizabeth to other biblical women, emphasizing their mutual support and lack of rivalry. Bobbie connects Mary’s song to Hannah’s from 1 Samuel, showing how old songs carry forward divine themes of justice and reversal. She unpacks the Magnificat as a bold, political proclamation about God's alignment with the lowly, poor, and hungry. Finally, Bobbi closes with a reflection on keeping time—how Mary and Elizabeth’s quiet preparation models faithful waiting amid the mystery of transformation.
Songs we sing to each other: Bobbi introduces Mary and Elizabeth as prophetic companions whose mutual recognition affirms God's presence in their lives. She encouragement us to trust our own stories and to seek out community as we discern God's movement.
An oldie: Bobbi then draws a connection between Mary’s Magnificat and Hannah’s ancient song, emphasizing that old expressions of faith can still speak powerfully in new contexts. Our spiritual memory of tradition and scripture can be an anchor for us in moments of uncertainty.
The Magnificat: Mary’s song is a proclamation of divine reversal and justice; God sides with the humiliated and overturns systems of power. Bobbi suggests that Jesus’ message was shaped by Mary’s words here. She encourages us to recognize and trust God’s disruptive work in our own lives, especially when it challenges norms or expectations.
Keeping time: Bobbi looks at the time that Mary and Elizabeth share with one another before Jesus' birth, highlighting the importance of stillness and companionship in times of transformation. She invites us to embrace seasons of waiting as sacred preparation for what God is bringing to life.
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Community is shaped by the conversations we share. These questions and reflections are a tool to help you meaningfully engage with the themes of this week's teaching.
Connect: What’s a Christmas song that really speaks to you this time of year? Does it help you connect with the season in a special way or allow you to contemplate on an aspect of the nativity story?
Share: Share your thoughts on the impact old expressions of faith can still have in your spiritual journey. For some, these stories might be new, for others they may be old and familiar.
Q: How might re-examining the memories of the tradition you’ve come from—or your childhood memories of these stories—offer a fresh eye on your current faith context?
Reflect: Reflect on the Magnificat. Bobbi gave us an overview of the content during the sermon—especially focussing on its political reversals. Take a minute or two to read the Magnificat through once as a group, or on your own, and then spend a brief time reflecting on it’s content.
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
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.”Luke 1:46-55
Q: What reversals stood out to you about Mary’s song?
Engage: Engage with the idea Bobbi proposed of letting seasons of waiting, dormancy, or “gestation” shape your story—and potentially allow transformation to happen slowly, with companionship, and through stillness.
Q: In what way might you embrace these seasons as expected elements of your faith?
Takeaway: What is your takeaway from the message or today’s conversation?
Prayer from the sermon:
Advent God,
There are so many things in our lives we want to change
And then there is so much change we want to stop
In all of it,
May we hear your approach.
Jesus, son of Mary
Help us to sing the song of the universe.
Where every evil will find its end
And a holy, surprising goodness will pursue every part of creation.
Open our hearts to hope
As we sing along to the Magnificat this week
And look for divine reversal.
Spirit of the living God, present with us now,
enter the places of our longing,
Our waiting, our watching, and heal us of what harms us.
Amen. -
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 37
MUSIC Curated by Curt Muller
Chris Tomlin - Angels We Have Heard On High
All Sons & Daughters - God With Us
Royal Anthems - Turn Your Eyes
David Crowder - The First Noel
ADVENT LITURGY: HOPE
Written by Bobbi Salkeld
Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It’s a new beginning of a new church year.This is the season where we wait in hope for the arrival of Jesus. During Advent, we focus on the moment when God came near in human form.
In this season of inward preparation, we anticipate with hope all of the ways God still comes near.
There is no limit to God’s drawing close —
God will approach you in the calm or in the storm,
In the quiet moment or in the chaotic terror,
In grasping for more or in settling down.
Today we light the first Advent candle: the candle of hope.
[Light the “hope” candle]
Let us pray.
Advent God,
As you approached Mary, a woman who would become a refugee,
mother in a blended family,
and nurturer of the life of the world –
God, you approach us with new life.
May our hearts be humble and hopeful as we welcome your arrival this Advent.
AMEN.
SERIES BUMPER
Advent The Musical
