Happy New Year for Elizabeth (Part 3)

Mary Visited by Angel. Illustration courtesy of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of PE.

Elizabeth jerked awake from a doze when she heard the light step of her young relative.  At the same time, the baby she was carrying moved as if it were turning handsprings.  She smiled as she thought, “I know now why God gives child bearing to young women.”

She rose and gave her distant cousin a hug.  Mary knew Elizabeth well.  Ever since she was a little girl, her family would travel from their home in Nazareth to observe the great festivals at the Temple, and they would often stay with Zechariah and Elizabeth. 

Elizabeth offered Mary something cool to drink and looked carefully at her.  She said, “When you crossed the threshold, the child in my womb leapt for joy.  I know you have something important to tell me, and I think I know what it is.”

Mary and Elizabeth. Illustration courtesy of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of PE.

Mary smiled and said, “Dear Aunt Elizabeth, I knew you would be just the right person for me to consult!”  Then Mary poured out a story that not too many would have believed:  a story of an angel sent from God to a young maiden, telling her that the time they had all waited for was about to begin and that Mary was to have a vital role in it.  The angel had answered Mary’s questions and Mary had consented to be the one to have the child who would be the Messiah, who would be known by a name that meant Savior.

But there was plenty of trouble when Mary told her family that she was pregnant.  This was a disaster for the family’s reputation, because a contract had been arranged between their family and Joseph, a respected carpenter.  It was a good arrangement for a marriage, but Mary’s unexpected pregnancy meant shame and perhaps even physical danger.  So Mary’s family decided to send her to stay with her older relatives until things could be sorted out. 

After listening to her story, Elizabeth smiled and said, “I am honored that the mother of my Lord has come to my home.” At this Mary burst into tears and cried, “I knew I could count on you to believe me! 

With this, Mary sang a beautiful hymn of praise to God, expressing her gratitude that God had seen her distress and expressing her trust that all injustice would be done away with and all people treated fairly. 

Mary could see how tired Elizabeth was and was glad to stay and help her until Elizabeth had her baby.