Luke 1:26-46
One month after Elizabeth‘s retreat ended, she had a surprise visit from her young prima Mary. Folks around the neighborhood had visited with plates of cookies so they could see if this old woman Elizabeth was really pregnant as had been rumored since Zech had been doing the women’s work of drawing water from the well. He had avoided busy times of drawing water but still, how could you overlook a man going to the village well every day for months on end?
The sentinel of God, Gabriel, had another message that was a whopper…..another one of a kind birth but even more unusual than an old woman conceiving. His mission which he gladly accepted was to head to the tiny village of Nazareth and tell a virgin that she would bring forth a baby son who would be called holy, Son of the Most High and whose kingdom would never end. After he answered Mary’s, “What you say?” and Mary gave him a high five of agreement, Gabriel returned home and Mary hightailed it down to Elizabeth’s casa.
After Elizabeth was greeted by Mary the Holy Spirit spilled over from the baby she was carrying and filled Elizabeth with the Holy spirit, causing the voice of this old pregnant woman to sing exuberantly. Wow! This experience would come in handy as she would have a child in this Holy Spirit-filled condition starting at day one of his life.
The beautiful praise that Elizabeth was honored to sing out was a gift to:
Mary: “someone understands me”
John: (years later) oh, yes! You are the Son of God! I’ve been doing the prep work for these stubborn people and now they are ALL yours!
Elizabeth: We are blessed! Thanks for saying yes to what God has called you to do!
After Mary’s song she had a three months retreat before returning to face the reality of the Nazareth tongue waggers and the shame of divorce from her betrothed.
Advent is a special journey we get to take each year. It is not an Express but help you to stop and smell the pines during this season.
Hugs around, Mimi
