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Jane Denniston December 16, 2023 3 5

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Luke 1: 39-45 (NRSVA)

39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

Often, I find, when God makes a promise, he also sends confirmation of his promise. For those with eyes to see there are hints during the waiting time of the fulfilment to come. So, for Mary, a young girl thrust into this unimaginable situation, unmarried and carrying the Son of God, comes the confirmation from the lips of Elizabeth that it wasn’t a dream, but was all going to come about just as the angel had said. Two miracle babies, two miracle mothers, united in expectancy and joy.

The biblical narrative tells us little more about Elizabeth but the fate of the two boys, from the perspective of a mother, falls out along similar lines. Both grow into men who will reject the patterns of their society and invite hatred in bringing God’s word into a hostile world. Both make enemies of the authorities and suffer violent and untimely deaths. Mary is told that a sword will pierce her heart, but that can be no less true for Elizabeth.

Recently I have had cause to marvel at the hand of God in my life, in his attention to detail in his gifts to us. Just the other day I was talking to friends who reported a very similar experience. We rejoiced together in the care of a God who is not so distant that he cannot care in the smallest of ways for his children. Our road through life may have blessings and trials, but just as Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced together (and probably, cried together) — companionship, shared joys and sorrows, enrich our journey, make the joys sweeter and the sorrows easier to bear. This Advent, let’s look for connecting points with others, whether in grief or delight, and weep and laugh together.

Prayer:

God of miracles,

thank you that you are interested in our lives

to the smallest detail.

Thank you that you give us

gifts along the way,

evidence of your love for us,

if we can but see it.

This Advent, give us eyes to see more clearly

the gifts with which you bless us.

With grateful hearts

May we rejoice in your love and generosity

and may our love in turn

spill out to others

in care and compassion, Amen