Advent: 19 Days to Go

Correction: In this installment of our Christmas adventure, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth to see for herself what the angel Gabriel had told her...

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
--Luke 1:39-45 KJV Bible

Within a few day’s of Gabriel’s announcement, Mary traveled from Nazareth to see Elizabeth and Zacharias in the city of Judah, in the hill country south of Jerusalem. In addition to wanting to see the miracle of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Mary may have wanted to support Elizabeth has a kindred soul, both having miraculous births on the way.

When Mary entered the house and greeted Elizabeth, the unborn baby leaped within her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. It was at this point that Elizabeth was overcome. In that moment, the Holy Spirit imparted to Elizabeth the news of Mary. Elizabeth now understood another piece of God’s plan. The Lord for which her son would prepare the way, would be carried by her young cousin. Of all the women blessed by God, Elizabeth realized that the only woman more blessed than herself was young Mary. Elizabeth shared this revelation and her great joy with Mary.

Next time, Mary responds to Elizabeth’s greeting...

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