Monday, December 1, 2014

Magnify the Lord!


I am a huge fan of the composer John Rutter. His compositions – both the music and the choral arrangements - are moving, inspirational, and lovely. “Celestial” has always seemed to me a fitting word to describe his music. I listen to almost any of his works and I find myself transported, lifted higher.

Rutter has been composing and arranging for more than 40 years. His choral works, for as beautiful as they are to hear, are difficult to sing. Just ask Deborah Panell or any of our choir members who have been working since summer preparing Rutter’s Magnificat for our Advent Festival.

The composition is based on the prayer Luke tells us Mary offered after she learned she had been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46-49)


 The music begins exuberantly, reflecting Mary’s joy, gratitude, and deep and abiding faith in her Lord, even though she was still a teenager and not yet married to Joseph. The movements that follow reflect the rest of Mary’s prayer and her faith:His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

And then the work ends powerfully with a Gloria Patri: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.”

Our choir is giving us an extraordinary gift in performing this piece. Come with family, with friends, with neighbors. Don’t miss this!

And, if you’d like to learn more about the life of Mary, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, located in downtown DC, is offering a special exhibition entitled, “Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea”. The exhibit runs from December 5 through April 12. You can learn more at http://www.nmwa.org/exhibitions/picturing-mary-woman-mother-idea. The National Gallery of Art, also in downtown DC, also has an outstanding collection of paintings, sculpture and other artwork that capture Mary at every stage of her life. 

 Mary’s simple, humble prayer leads us into a joyful season, and its timelessness makes it the perfect prayer as we enter the New Year: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” This is truly a prayer to say, but even more, to sing to the heavens!

Glory to God!
Pastor Skip