Don’t you just love those multiple-meaning English words? Is it any wonder, in this wondering season, that those learning our language have such a difficult time? The blessing, I suppose, is that most of those can get by in everyday conversations, interactions and transactions. “Magnify” is one of those words that doesn’t pop up very often. If it did, people who can barely speak English would be understandably confused. “Magnify” is one of those words that has at least two completely different meanings. It is also one of those words that meant something very different in the Bible than it does in contemporary speaking. Today, when we talk about magnifying, it means examining something very closely. Or blowing something out of proportion. Even if it is given as a command, it is different than the verb used in the Bible. “Magnify!” is the command that Captain Kirk or Picard give from the bridge in “Star Trek” lore. The crew of the Enterprise needs to see what strange lifeform or alien ship it is dealing with.

It is now the time in Advent when we can draw ever closer to the meaning we give to this season. We gratefully let go of John the Baptist and his harangues about repentance and get nearer to the excitement, wonder and mystery of the Nativity. Ah, here is where the completely different definition of “magnify” comes in. We can make a case that our sinfulness gets magnified and brought into stark relief in the early stages of Advent – as it should. But now our focus turns to Mary. She magnifies the Lord. Maybe even that too is meant to embrace the two meanings. After all, it is the Lord who grows within her, still at an astonishingly microscopic size. “Intriguing!”, Spock would say. Putting aside the scientific fascination, it is a different verb. It means praise. Exorbitant, jubilant praise. Far more than an “atta-boy” pat on the back. There was great, incredulous celebration shared by Mary and Elizabeth. Something extraordinary was happening. In the humility which is oh so appropriate, Mary shines light not on herself but on God’s action.

We are inheritors, children of that same light. God’s reign is still incoming, indwelling. True, it seems to occur far too often on a microscopic, unperceivable level. Guess we’ve got to magnify! May the coming Christ be magnified in our lives so that we will magnify him who is our peacemaker. May his unconditional love course through you and may your jubilant joy be full.

Pastor Art