By Adam Shank, MCC Nicaragua
[Vease abajo para español]
The Advent/Christmas season has become an important time of year for me in recent years. Growing up Christmas time was always a highlight of the year, not only for the presents but also for the family time that drew us closer to one another.
More recently I feel like I’ve been rediscovering the “Christian” side of Christmas. Giving presents and being with family is good and important, but Jesus came for much more than that.
Here I want to share a few reflections inspired by people from Central America that have be significant to me at the start of this advent season.
I have recently had the Kyrie from the Nicaraguan Peasant Mass running through my head and it struck my how similiar the themes are to the Song of Mary (Magnificat). They both yearn for a world in which oppression ceases and peace reigns on earth, where the mighty who rule without mercy are brought low and the poor lifted up. I’d like to imagine that we could all meet somewhere in the middle.
Nicaraguan Peasant Mass Kyrie:
Christ, Christ Jesus
Identify with us
Lord, Lord my God
Identify with us.
Christ, Christ Jesus
be in solidarity with us.
Not with the opressive class
that exploits and devours
the community
but with my people
thristy for peace.
The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise:
46 Mary responded,
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.”
Luke 1:46-55 NLT
May the celebration of the birth of the Messiah give us hope, and awaken in us a desire to see the words of Mary and many Latin American brothers and sisters come true.
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Español:
El tiempo de Adviento / Navidad se ha convertido en un momento importante del año para mí en los últimos años. Como niño, la época de Navidad siempre fue de lo más destacado del año, no sólo por los regalos, sino también por el tiempo de la familia que nos atrajo más cerca uno del otro.
Más recientemente, me siento como hay un redescubrimiento del parte “cristiano” de la Navidad. Dando regalos y estar con la familia es bueno e importante, pero Jesús vino para mucho más que eso.
Aquí quiero compartir algunas reflexiones inspiradas por la gente de Centroamérica que han ser significativas para mí en el inicio de esta temporada de Adviento.
Recientemente he tenido el Kyrie de la Misa Campesina Nicaragüense dando vueltas en mi cabeza y noté que la forma es similiar a la Canción de María (Magnificat). Ambos anhelan un mundo en el que la opresión cesa y la paz reina en la tierra, donde los poderosos que son traídos bajo regla sin piedad y los pobres levantado. Me gustaría pensar que todos podemos encontrarnos en algún lugar en el medio.
Cristo, Cristo Jesús, identifícate con nosotros.Señor, Señor mi Dios, identificate con nosotros.Christo, Crhisto Jesús solidarízate, no con la clase opresora, que exprime y devora a la comunidad,sino con el oprimido, con el pueblo mío, sediento de paz.
Compara con la Canción de Maria, Lucas 1:46-55
Que la celebración del nacimiento del Mesías nos da esperanza y despertar en nosotros el deseo de que las palabras de María y muchos hermanos y hermanas de América Latino se hagan realidad.