Christmas Bits and Thoughts and Midrashim -- #4


BLESSED IS SHE WHO HAS BELIEVED 

     Zechariah came out of the Holy of Holies mute! Perhaps he tried to use sign language to communicate what had happened, but ... everyone knew something supernatural had happened, but ? ? ?

      Zechariah went home, and in the 'natural course of events' Elizabeth, his wife, became pregnant. It says she stayed in seclusion for 5 months. However, it never says WHY. I checked a few commentaries ... nothing! OK, some clearly biased guesses. (Sometimes I wish commentators would just say "Wow! don't have a clue!")

     Elizabeth wasn't ashamed. She said, "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)

      So why 5 months of seclusion ~ my answer:  We don't know ... don't have a clue!!

   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 ~ went to Nazareth with a birth announcement for Mary.  He told her that she was favored of God and she would become pregnant miraculously...without 'knowing' a man. The "father" would be God.   
     Just as Zechariah did, she says, "How can these things be ?" However, the angel does not accuse her of unbelief, as he had accused Zechariah. Clearly, Mary's confusion was ... as it were ... biological confusion. Her question is understandable: who -- really -- who could have thought of a virgin birth except God? Once Gabriel explained, Mary said, "May it be to me as you have said."  (Luke 1:38)

     Then the next part of Mary's birth announcement is made by John who is later called John the Baptist. Remember Gabriel's promise to Zechariah? 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. 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.


"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth . When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." Luke 1:39-44

     Then Elizabeth says something wonderful and true:


"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" 
Luke 1:45

     There it is again -- that wonderful KEY: Mary believed God.

     Although we aren't told why Mary went to see Elizabeth, I love that part of the story. Were they close friends? I suspect so. 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" (cousin, aunt??), Elizabeth, was old(er) and would need lots of help during the end of her pregnancy? Maybe. It doesn't say why she went...just that she went. Scripture tells us that Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months. How wonderful those three 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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