Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) (NRSV)
Read Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) 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."
Devotion
Of all the Scriptures we tend to read in Advent, this one may just be the most joyful. The delight that Mary and Elizabeth take in each other—and that the children in their wombs share!—is practically breathtaking. I like to imagine the two women gathered together in the evening after the day’s work was done, sharing their hopes and fears about their pregnancies, motherhood, and the extraordinary circumstances they were experiencing. It is while Mary is at Elizabeth’s house that she is moved to sing her “Magnificat,” testifying to the wonders of God.
This beautiful scene is an important affirmation that we need one another. The joyful relationships in our lives—even the ones across great distances or great hardships—deserve to be tended well. Is there someone in your life you’ve fallen out of touch with simply because of distance, inconvenience, or changing circumstances? Let the love between Mary and Elizabeth inspire you to reach out this Advent season.
Prayer
God, you give us the gift of friendship. Help us to tend our friendships well, even when it is difficult or inconvenient, and to give one another the grace and love that you show us. Amen.
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