Advent Theme: Mary’s Song of God’s Revolutionary Love

During Advent we wait and anticipate the birth of Jesus, symbolizing life born anew into the world and into our hearts on Christmas Eve. We are excited to share our theme for Advent this year: Mary’s Song! Mary’s prophetic song, called the Magnificat, is found in the Gospel of Luke 1:46-55.

Mary’s song is not a quaint and precious birth announcement, but a world-rocking proclamation of trust in what God has already done, and what God will do through the birth of this child, Jesus. The words of the Magnificat are sealed on many of our hearts, and we call on them often when we need a powerful word of hope.

Mary sings of rulers brought down from their thrones, and the lowly outcast lifted up and honored. She sings of justice and love; the holy reversals that Jesus will soon bring with his life and ministry. In a time where we worry and sometimes lose hope about the direction of the world, Mary’s Song can help us trust the promise that even in the darkest times, the act of singing praise to God’s mercy and steadfast love, can change the world. The prophecies of Isaiah will accompany Mary’s Song, for an ancient canticle of God’s revolutionary love to guide us into deep praise and devotion this Advent.

Each Sunday we will hear and speak a different translation of Mary’s song as we light the candles of hope, peace, joy and love. We will light three pink candles, and then a blue candle on the fourth Sunday of Advent. See below and mark your calendars for some meaningful Advent and Christmas events and celebrations!

With love,

Pastor Julia & Pastor Kate

Advent 1: November 30, Sermon & Worship theme: God’s Revolutionary Love

• Christmas Card sale: Find a special selection of holiday cards in the Crossroads from our card sale ministry, which supports neighbors in need year-round.
• Giving Tree: Select a tag from the giving tree to shop for a present for a neighborhood child sponsored by Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) and Joining Forces for Families (JFF). We will be sponsoring 55 children through these two groups. Please write your name on the sign-up next to the tree as you take a tag and return your wrapped gift on December 14th.
• ORUCC “post office” box: If you’d like to give holiday cards to church friends, you are welcome to bring them unstamped and file them by last name in the box located in the crossroads; please make a suggested donation of 50 cents per card. This fun tradition also serves as a fundraiser for our youth service trip. Every Sunday, folks are invited to check the box to see if there are any cards left for you! 

Advent 2: December 7, Sermon & Worship Theme:

Our Lady of Guadalupe & The Many Faces of Mary

• 9am Advent Adult Education Session on Our Lady of Guadalupe: We are honored to welcome UW Professor of Vilas Distinguished Achievement & English & Chicana/Latina Studies, Dr. Theresa Delgadillo to join us and share about Our Lady of Guadalupe.
• Words of Encouragement Project: After worship, the Immigration Justice Mission Team will guide us in writing notes of encouragement to immigrants who are detained in the Dodgeville Detention Center.
• Neighborhood Support Continues: The Christmas Card sale & Giving Tree tags will be available in the Crossroads.

Advent 3: December 14, Sermon & Worship theme:

The Palestinian Face of Mary. Rev Diane Dulin will share a message about Mary in her Middle Eastern context.

• Youth Service Trip Cookie Sale: For sale after worship, delicious Christmas Cookies will be $12/dozen to support the youth service trip to Detroit, July 2026. This is a primary fundraiser for our youth service trip.
• Giving Tree Return: Please bring your wrapped gift for neighborhood children this Sunday!

Advent 4: December 21, Sermon & Worship Theme: Blue Christmas, Black Madonna. This special day of the winter solstice, we will hold space for the grief of the season while giving praise for the darkness.

• Ethical Trade Co. Sale: ORUCC member Manuel Ramminger and colleagues will set up a fair-trade market in support of Ethical Trade Co. for before and after church in Friendship Hall for anyone to do some ethical Christmas shopping! For more information, see Ethical Trade Company – Ending exploitation through fair trade.

December 24th Christmas Eve Candle Light Services:

• 3pm Children and Family Service: Our Music Connections children and TRU Function youth band will lead a service for all ages!
• 5:30pm Traditional Service, Sermon & Worship Theme: Theotokos: We Are All Mothers of God, shared with Madison Mennonite Church.

Both services will observe a special closing moment as we sing “Silent Night” by candlelight.

Christmas 1, December 28, Christmas Hymn Sing! If you’d like you may wear a festive themed Christmas sweater or pajamas and come for a casual and joyful service.

Photo above from Unsplash by Dan Meyers

The Magnificat, Mary’s Song

Luke 1:46-55 (NRSV)

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of servants.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is God’s name.

God’s mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

God has shown strength with his arm;

God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly;

God has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

God 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.”

Photo below from Unsplash by Grant Whitty