William Loader of Murdoch University writes that Christmas is a fascinating study of marginalism. Santa often pushes aside Jesus. Black Friday and commercialism push aside the message of good news for the poor. Diamond necklaces and bows upon a red Lexus are at the center of the world's Christmas message.
In our own day and time, we have inverted Mary's song and the message of the Magnificat! Her words, in Luke 1:46-55, proclaim our Lord's intent to invert the order of the world. It is decreed that those who live in low circumstances—who are hungry, whose image of self is meek—are the center of his saving work in Jesus Christ. In the Kingdom of God, it is the poor and the struggling, the unlovely and the lowly who are invited in from marginal existence to the center of God's love.
Let us make certain we have our margins and our middle clearly lined. May we in some small way join in Mary's song, lifting up those who have been laid low, helping to usher them into the Kingdom of God where they might know fulfillment.
May God bless your family this Advent season.
Rev. Bruce E. Stanley
President / CEO
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