Third Saturday of Advent: Sing!

In the early stages of pregnancy, there is only the news of being pregnant that is something to shout about. But as the pregnancy develops, so too does the glow of the mother-to-be and they too start to SING of their joy.

They feather the nest... redecorate a room for the nursery... buy clothes... prepare for the birth. But all the time they SING of their joy.

Mary sang of her joy in what is now known as The Magnificat:

My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
And his mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy
Even as he spoke to out fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.

O King of all the Nations, the only joy of every human heart; O keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.