Luke 1:39-57 (NRSV)
Read Luke 1:39-57 on biblegateway.com
Verse 39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, Verse 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Verse 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit Verse 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Verse 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? Verse 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. Verse 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." Verse 46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, Verse 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, Verse 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; Verse 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Verse 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Verse 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. Verse 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; Verse 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. Verse 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, Verse 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Verse 56And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
Verse 57Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
Devotion
It’s pretty amazing to me how Mary responds to the news of her pregnancy; of her carrying the Lord in her womb. While she may have been frightened, she doesn’t show it! She rejoices in the role and beautifully claims a vision of the importance of this birth.
As a woman who has not physically given birth to a child, I tend to have a very broad understanding of “birthing.” I think we are all called by the Spirit to “birth” God’s love into the world. We have each been given certain gifts, and we may be asked to use them beyond what is comfortable. When we use those gifts, we are birthing God’s creative and living love. One’s status in life or place in society does not matter; God can use a “mother” like Mary and a “birther” like us!
Prayer
Gracious and Holy God, our spirits rejoice in the many great things you have done for us! Help us to birth your love to the world and rejoice in opportunities to do so! We are all lifted up in your love! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.