A Giving Tuesday Letter for Advent 2024

Friend of Brehm,

One of my favorite depictions of Mary’s visit with Elizabeth is by the French symbolist painter, Odilon Redon, titled “Mystical Conversation,” as seen in the picture above.

The piece is rife with whimsical marks as it shows the two women elevated in some sort of ethereal pavilion. We know that the women are cousins and that God has worked miracles in both of their lives, blessing them with pregnancies defying all odds.

The biblical text doesn’t record much about their conversation, but we do get Mary’s Song, known throughout history as the Magnificat — a song of praise to God (Luke 1: 46-55). A song of wonder and mercy. And a song calling for justice. It seems that the Holy Spirit overcame them both, elevating their cousin-conversation to a cosmic, mystical prophecy for the restoration of all things.

Perhaps the reason that I like Redon’s visual interpretation is that he captures so well the beauty, depth, and cosmic expansiveness of the coming Emmanuel, God with Us—the one who will make all things new. Mary and Elizabeth are having an intimate, human conversation, but their conversation has been elevated throughout the history of the church. 

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

47  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of humble estate;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

 in remembrance of his mercy,

55 as he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

—

As we enter the Advent season, waiting not just for the coming baby Jesus, but for the return of our Christ and his restoration of all things, I encourage you to spend some time with Mary’s Song. Meditate on Redon’s artwork or other depictions of their visit; there are many great ones! Or try using a guide to viewing art with the help of the Holy Spirit (Visio Divina).

We are so grateful that you are a part of our community, and pray your journey to Christmas is filled with light and creativity.

If you’d like to support artists and ministry leaders in our many programs and courses, please do so using the button below. Gifts large or small help us offer scholarships and create new opportunities for those we serve, including you!

May our souls magnify the Lord as we wait for our Christ,

Shannon Sigler

Executive Director

The Brehm Center