Much of this column should be credited to Brian Walsh and the folks at Empire Remixed. I can't possibly imagine a more timely issue to raise at such a time as this, so I thought I'd put it out there for Christians to consider as we think about who we'll vote for in the upcoming Canadian or American elections.

There once was a woman from a rather backwoods part of the country. And she moved from having almost no role in the shaping of history to having a huge role. Literally overnight she found herself carrying the weight of history. In what was little more than an instant she found herself in a position of great honour.

As we go to the polls, let's remember that we worship the King, Jesus Christ, whose politics never change. Let's try and consider which, if any, of the candidates bears any resemblance to this King. And let's never forget that our citizenship is in the Kingdom, and that our fellow-citizens are those who pledge allegiance to the King no matter where they are geographically located. And let us only pledge allegiance to one King, Jesus Christ, no matter who the President or the Prime Minister is. Jesus, who came so humbly, reigns supreme.

Now, no one had really heard of this woman before. And no one had heard her speak in a hugely public setting. No one had ever asked this small town woman what her vision of the world was, what her hopes were, or where she saw the possibility for real and lasting change to come from.

So when she got her moment, here's what Mary said:

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.

I guess she wasn't running for public office.

I guess she wasn't anyone's vice-presidential running mate.

I guess she wasn't looking for a seat in the House of Commons.

No, she was just a pregnant teenager, longing for the Kingdom of God.

Dion Oxford, along with his wife, Erinn, and daughter, Cate, live in Toronto and are committed to journeying alongside people in the margins of society. Dion and Erinn have spent a combined 30 years working amongst folks who are living on the streets of Toronto. Dion is the director of Gateway, a Salvation Army shelter for men experiencing homelessness. He and his wife see the solution to homelessness as the church taking seriously the two great commandments of loving God and loving our neighbours. He likes to read, write, fly kites, cycle long distances, watch TV, play in his band and hang out with his friends.