Background Notes:

Written during the Advent season, this piece was inspired by the tragic death of a congregation member during the week that the text of Mary’s Magnificat served as one of the lectionary readings.  Mary’s song – one that beautifully expresses her deep faith – points us to the power of song as expression of joy, praise, and expectation.  Verses one (hope and expectation) and three (praise) of this hymn likewise convey some of the same emotion; verse two (fear, sorrow, lament) adds to this range of experience to include the broad ways in which song can be used as both expressions of our faith as well as the means for enhancing, sustaining, and strengthening our belief.