Sermon; Let it be.
We are still asking Mary’s question: “How can this be? How could this be? How could this happen?”
As a question to faith, miracles and God: how can this be?
Here at the last Sunday of Advent, here at the doorsteps of our Holy Christmas Celebration, here in December 2020, we still ask with Mary: “How will this be? How could this be?”
We do not only ask this question as a religious, spiritual and intellectual question of faith and beliefs, - but even more because we are worried and confused this Christmas 2020, where nothing really seems to be the same as usual or as we expected.
How will it be Christmas again?
How will we be able to celebrate with joy, when we cannot celebrate nor gather as usual?
How will it be Christmas?
I think we all, this year as we live through a worldwide Pandemic, as we navigate through Lockdowns, stay at home orders, safety and cautious care, as we struggle to get by, as we struggle to make any sense of this, as we deal with political and racial division and tension, - in such a time like this, we truly need Christmas and we truly need to embrace Christmas with all our heart and soul.
How will this be? Mary’s question to Gabriel is the obvious one, since she is a young virgin: how exactly will all of this come to be?
Just a few verses earlier in the Gospel, after receiving similar miraculous news of Elizabeth’s unexpected pregnancy, Zacharias ask the same question. “How will this be?”
One of the greatest songs ever written in modern time, is The Beatles “Let it be.”
It is such a fine melody and such a fine text. And it is so fitting for today when we gather for 4. Sunday in Advent and have listened to the gospel according to luke about Mary’s song and Mary’s words of wisdom: Let it be!
“ When I find myself in times of trouble?
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Oh, how I love that song!
Oh, how this song resonates with me today listening to Mary’s song and Mary’s words of wisdom: Let it be!
This iconic song evokes a majestic quality to it, from the serene and simple melody to its crescendo of instruments at the end. It is an enduring classic with a soothing, praying, simple and almost cathartic quality. Written by Paul McCartney (and loved by millions but according to Beatles Legends hated by John Lennon!) Beatles recorded the song for their 1970 album, their very last studio record together.
And when the broken-hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Yeah, there will be an answer, let it be
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
McCartney sings about Mother Mary but contrary to some beliefs, he was not making a reference to Virgin Mother Mary from the gospel. Instead, it is a nod to his own mother, who was also a Mary.
Last year when Sir Paul McCartney was speaking to James Corden on his segment for Carpool Karaoke, McCartney recalled how his later mother, Mary, who dies from cancer when he was only 14, - inspired him to write this song.
He had a dream at a time in his life when he had restless nights, partying days and concerns about the future of the Band, - he had a dream where his mother came to him in the dream and she could sense that he was troubled. And she said to him: “Let it be. It is going to be OK. Do not worry. Let it be!”
However, when James Corden asked if it had any reference to the Virgin Mary, Paul McCartney said that he would leave it up to fans interpretation.
So, I have always had the biblical Mary in mind when I was singing about “Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.” And I think that these words of wisdom could be out way into Christmas this year. As Mary was led by the words of Gabriel to leave her questions and concerns of “how can this be” behind her and embrace her life, her pregnancy, her fate and her life with the wise words:
“Here am I, servant of the Lord: let it be with me according to your word.”
Let it be! Let it be Christmas! Let there be light, hope and joy! Let it be Christmas despite all our questions, concerns and challenges. Let it be Light and Hope that conquer Darkness and despair.
We are praying that God will be with us – Emmanuel – that he will meet us with tenderness and tenacity just as Gabriel met Mary.
Before anything else, Mary’s song points to joy.
It reminds us that the appropriate response to God’s complicated presence in our lives is joy. Not fear. Not guilt. Not shame, Not penance. Not obligations. But JOY
Deep and irresistible joy is at the very heart of the entire Christmas Story. Then angel tells Zechariah that “joy and gladness” will mark the life of his son, John the Baptist: when Mary arrives at Elizabeth’s house, Elisabeth’s unborn baby “leaps pf Joy” and when and angel choir announces the birth of Jesus to the Shepherds, it is” good news of great joy.”
Mary’s song is a song of much hope. And this is exactly what we are called on this 4. Sunday in Advent to cultivate.
How can it be, we ask? And Mary whispers to us the words of wisdom: Let it be!
Let there be joy, let there be light, let there be hope. And let us share it with a world in need of joy, light and hope more than ever.
And when the broken-hearted people
Living in the world agree there will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see there will be an answer, let it be
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me, shine on until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be Christmas with joy and hope. Let it be Christmas everywhere! AMEN