Blessed is she who has believed that what the LORD has said to her shall be accomplished !
The birth announcement to Elizabeth and Mary continues. This part of the story is so sweet. Zechariah comes out of the Holy of Holies ~ mute! He tries to use sign language to communicate what had happened, but ... they know something supernatural had happened, but ? ? ? He goes home, and in the 'natural course of events, Elizabeth his wife becomes pregnant. It says she stayed in seclusion for 5 months. However, it never says WHY. I checked a few commentaries ... nothing! OK, some 'drivvel' ~ clearly biased guesses. (sometimes I wish commentators would just say "Wow! don't have a clue!"
That's my answer --- don't have a clue. She wasn't ashamed. She says, "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." (Luke 1:25)
What we do know is that in the 6th month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Gabriel ~ the angel who came to see Zechariah in the Holy of Holies ~ goes to see Mary. He tells her that she is favored of God and she will become pregnant miraculously...without 'knowing' a man. The father will be the Holy Spirit. She says, "How can these things be ... ?" too, but the angel does not accuse her of unbelief, as he had accused Zechariah. Clearly hers was ... as it were ... biological confusion. Her question is understandable: who -- really -- who could have thought of a virgin birth except God? Once Gabriel explains, she is IN! "May it be to me as you have said. (Luke 1:38)
Clearly, Gabriel was busy bringing birth announcements.
But then the next part of the birth announcement is made by JOHN who is later called John the Baptist. Remember the Gabriel's promise to Zech? The baby would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. As part of the announcement to Mary, Gabriel tells Mary that Elizabeth is pregnant. Mary goes to be with Elizabeth. Was it because it would have been QUITE awkward to suddenly show signs of pregnancy that her mom and dad and ... JOSEPH...would find unmistakable? maybe. Was it because she knew her relative, Elizabeth was old(er) and would need lots of help during the end of her pregnancy? maybe. Doesn't say why she went...just that she went.
Mary gets there and John "leaps" in his mother's womb. And Elizabeth knew in that moment ~ instantly ~ that Mary was pregnant with Jesus --- she clearly knew from her speech -- that Mary carried the Messiah. How wonderful that 3 months must have been!! I am sure they talked A LOT! I am sure they planned and projected and day dreamed about their two miraculous sons. I can feel their mutual joy! I think that visit gave both women courage. The days ahead would not be easy: Mary had a visit from an angel...but her parents didn't. Joseph didn't. She needed courage! What I love is that there is no mention of her wavering...not a sound of recrimination toward God. Elizabeth and Mary -- two women facing dreadful difficulty hugged each other and rejoiced! Having someone who believes WITH you, someone who is standing IN the unfolding of the miracle WITH you. . . that make all the difference.
That's my answer --- don't have a clue. She wasn't ashamed. She says, "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." (Luke 1:25)
What we do know is that in the 6th month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Gabriel ~ the angel who came to see Zechariah in the Holy of Holies ~ goes to see Mary. He tells her that she is favored of God and she will become pregnant miraculously...without 'knowing' a man. The father will be the Holy Spirit. She says, "How can these things be ... ?" too, but the angel does not accuse her of unbelief, as he had accused Zechariah. Clearly hers was ... as it were ... biological confusion. Her question is understandable: who -- really -- who could have thought of a virgin birth except God? Once Gabriel explains, she is IN! "May it be to me as you have said. (Luke 1:38)
Clearly, Gabriel was busy bringing birth announcements.
But then the next part of the birth announcement is made by JOHN who is later called John the Baptist. Remember the Gabriel's promise to Zech? The baby would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. As part of the announcement to Mary, Gabriel tells Mary that Elizabeth is pregnant. Mary goes to be with Elizabeth. Was it because it would have been QUITE awkward to suddenly show signs of pregnancy that her mom and dad and ... JOSEPH...would find unmistakable? maybe. Was it because she knew her relative, Elizabeth was old(er) and would need lots of help during the end of her pregnancy? maybe. Doesn't say why she went...just that she went.
Mary gets there and John "leaps" in his mother's womb. And Elizabeth knew in that moment ~ instantly ~ that Mary was pregnant with Jesus --- she clearly knew from her speech -- that Mary carried the Messiah. How wonderful that 3 months must have been!! I am sure they talked A LOT! I am sure they planned and projected and day dreamed about their two miraculous sons. I can feel their mutual joy! I think that visit gave both women courage. The days ahead would not be easy: Mary had a visit from an angel...but her parents didn't. Joseph didn't. She needed courage! What I love is that there is no mention of her wavering...not a sound of recrimination toward God. Elizabeth and Mary -- two women facing dreadful difficulty hugged each other and rejoiced! Having someone who believes WITH you, someone who is standing IN the unfolding of the miracle WITH you. . . that make all the difference.
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