Pain as Portal to Joy: Reading Mary’s Magnificat with Nikki Giovanni | The Poetry of Advent

In this compelling meditation on joy during difficult times, elder Shae Washington weaves together Nikki Giovanni's radical poetry with Mary's subversive Magnificat. Through fresh interpretations of these revolutionary texts, Washington explores how marginalized voices throughout history have claimed joy as an act of resistance. Drawing on personal stories, historical context, and contemporary struggles, she challenges us to see joy not as an emotion dependent on circumstances, but as a posture of hope and defiance in the face of empire. Part of The Table Church's "Poetry of Advent" series examining sacred and secular poetry as spiritual practice.

Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction

3:45 Nikki Giovanni's Poetry of Black Joy

8:30 Mary's Magnificat as Revolutionary Text

15:20 Joy as Resistance in Modern Context

21:00 Three Keys to Finding Joy

26:30 Closing Reflection and Song

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