Advent with Luke #4 – Blessed be the Lord

I love the way Scripture is so very different from and much richer than even a page-turner of a novel. You read the novel, you’re done. But with Scripture, you’re never done – or it’s never done with you! You re-read, again and again, and you never fail to find more, and richer, and ever more timely meanings and nuances. If Scripture is “inspired,” it must be that it has this capacity, that it’s more like a mine with fabulous gems, the more sparkling ones being deeper in the place.

This happened to me (again) when I dug into Elizabeth Scalia’s introduction to Luke’s Gospel in The Word on Fire Bible. She explores Zechariah’s reaction to the visit of the angel, and then Mary’s. He is told his aged wife Elizabeth will bear a child. His understandable question is “How will I know?” (Luke 1:13). He is skeptical. He needs to be sure. He’s probably gotten his hopes up too many times… His ask is How can I trust this?

The same angel then tells Mary she will bear a child – a special child, the most special child ever, the most wanted child in all of human history. She also asks an understandable question, but it’s different. Instead of How will I know? she asks How can this be? By what means could I bear a child? I’ve been with no man. “Zechariah is skeptical, seeking assurances; Mary though is curious, wondering how the God she seems to believe to be capable of amazing things, might actually pull this off” (Scalia).

But then there’s this, which they share in common: after the angel is gone, once the realization has set in, they both break into praise-filled songs of thanksgiving. Zechariah had been struck dumb by the overwhelming presence of the angel. But the gift of speech returns to him. His first words? “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel.” Read his whole outburst of gratitude in Luke 1:67-80.

Notice he doesn’t express thanks for getting his speech back, or for good health or physical comforts. He only indirectly thanks God for the pregnancy of old Elizabeth. His giving thanks is fixed on what God has done for the people – not just him or his. He is grateful God is all about redemption, that God spoke to the people through the prophets, that God is all mercy, holiness and righteousness – and forgiveness and salvation, that God gives light to those in darkness.

Want to offer thanks to God this Thursday? Spend time on Zechariah’s topics – which are the very things all people in all places and times share as topics of giving thanks. Not volumes of food or the comforts of home, but better things, eternal things. Mary too couldn’t contain her praise, joy, and gratitude toward God. Read her song (and I love to imagine what her singing voice was like!) in Luke 1:46-55. Like Zechariah, it’s hardly individualistic. It’s all about God and God’s large work in God’s world.

She begins “My soul magnifies the Lord.” That’s what I’d love my life’s mission to be: I am some kind of magnifying glass, that when people look at me, they see through me to the largeness, the wonder, the goodness of God. Yes, she’s grateful to bear this most wanted child ever. But she knows it’s not for her private or personal benefit. God in and through her is for all generations, to exalt those of low degree, to provide for the needy, to show mercy forever. Isn’t this the vision of why and how we give thanks?

Two different people, two different genders and generations, echoing one another. It’s not about accepting doctrine, or behaving correctly, but being lost in wonder, love and praise. This Thanksgiving, let’s join them by taking the time, even in the back of our minds all day long, to say “Blessed be the Lord God,” with the goal that “My soul magnifies the Lord.”