READ Luke 1:46-55 | Luke 1:67-80
COMMENTARY | Rev. Cecelia D. Armstrong
Have you ever really unpacked the lyrics of “Lift Ev’ry
Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson?4 This is a song of hope. It is a song
that remembers the past, acknowledges current life, and prays for a future full
of hope. The hope is for every person who has a voice and a means for singing;
hence, the title is to lift every voice and sing. The lyrics insist that we let
our rejoicing “rise high as the list’ning skies.” The lyrics insist that even
when our feet are weary from the death of hope that is not even born yet, we
are encouraged to stand. This song is a story of hope and reminds me of the
very songs that were sung by Mary, Zechariah, and even Hannah of the Hebrew
text.
Mary sings of a new world order based on past experiences
with God. Her joy is found in remembering what the world has the potential to
be based on the presence of God in all things. God has shown strength. God has
scattered the proud. God has brought down the powerful. God has lifted the
lowly. God has filled the hungry. God has helped those who have served God
according to the promise made to Abraham. God has already done things that
should allow a weary world to rejoice. Mary proclaims this in her song of hope
and in the story of justice, joy, and a righteous peace.
Hannah’s song, found in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, is very similar to
Mary’s Song and rightfully so. Mary knew Hebrew stories well and would have
probably aligned her words based on the words she had buried in her heart.
Hannah’s joy seemed to radiate from the victory in an answered prayer. The
birth of her son, after being deemed barren, was a victory over the enemies who
did not see God’s blessing on her life. Hannah sings a song of hope for current
situations. Her reminder to us and the world is to let God be the rock on which
we stand. Let God be the one who brings things to life.
Let God make poor and let God make rich; for only God can
raise up the poor from the dust, the needy from the ash heap, to place them in
places with royalty and to inherit seats of honor. God will be the one and only
reason a weary world can rejoice.
Zechariah sings a song of hope for the future. His song
ignites the thrill of hope that awaits us after a long silence. He bursts into
thanksgiving for God’s favor. He acknowledges that God has something better for
those who await the future. Zechariah speaks over the life of the one who will
be the prophet of the Most High. Zechariah tells of the blessings for John and
speaks into John’s task for the future. Here the song and story of hope
encourages us to speak life over those who will replace us when we are no
longer on the battlefield for our Lord.
Consider the third stanza of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” as
a prayer. May this be how a weary world rejoices: “shadowed beneath God’s
hand.”
Reflect: What songs do you sing when you need hope?
reprinted with permission from A Sanctified Art
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