Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/1189422
27 December 22 Nearing that silent night, Mary had something to say. While we sing songs anticipating serene scenes of Christ's arrival, Mary sang out, expectant of God to turn the world up- side down. She was proclaiming a revolution. Her song anticipated a Savior who would upend kingdoms and satiate the hungry. Mary's song saves us from making a mistake; we cannot separate the wide-eyed baby in the manger from the Savior's revolutionary message of liberating love. Her song reminds me of another verse. We sing together at Christmas time, "Truly He taught us to love one another. His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother ; and in His name, all oppression shall cease." During this season, it's possible, though, for us to profess joy and peace without remembering that God's upending of oppression is a necessary foundation for both. Oppression of the powerless is nothing new. Lately though, it's unclear whether there's more injustice in our world or if it's simply more present to us through technology. There are voices testifying to corruption around every corner, but we don't need to press pause on the harsh realities of the world to celebrate Christmas. We have a God who sees those in need of liberation, and God responds. The joy and peace Jesus brings into our world is not naive or uninformed. Both songs remind us that the journey to joy and peace calls for liberation through love. Love of neighbor and of enemy was manifest in Jesus. Without that world-changing love, our joy is only seasonal cheer ; our professed peace is simply delayed conflict. Let us not miss God's liberating power for the humble, hungry, and overlooked in this season. We can all be free from both oppression and power-seeking. We can all have joy because Jesus came to set things right. We can all have peace because all relationships— even those along enemy lines—can be reconciled. In Mary's footsteps, we can follow Jesus into this new upside-down kingdom of love. Cara Runyon, MA AlumnA Joy, peAce, And liberAting love "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." – Luke 1: 51-53