Singing Freedom

This sermon was preached on Heritage Day at St. Mark’s UMC in Montclair, NJ. Inspired by Dr. Raquel Lettsome’s reading of the Magnificat as a spiritual — a slave song — I explore what happens when we take Mary seriously. Not just as the mother of Jesus, but as a poor, young girl who dared to sing about justice in a world that tried to silence her. Her song isn’t just something we read at Christmas. It’s a call to action. And it still speaks to our communities today.

What part of Mary’s song challenges you—and what part gives you hope?