Luke 1:39-45

It didn’t take long for Mary to decide to leave. Her parents, of course, were confused at her eagerness to go visit her cousin Elizabeth, but they offered no objections. Mary hastened to the hill country, where her cousin and her husband Zechariah lived.

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“Elizabeth?” Mary called, approaching the door and entering.

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Inside, Elizabeth looked up. When Mary called again, Elizabeth’s baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth sat back to recover from the sudden movement, but was quickly on her feet and hugging her dear little cousin.

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“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Mary smiled, but was a little confused at her words. “For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

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“You know, then?” Mary asked.

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“My baby usually doesn’t leap inside me without warning for others,” Elizabeth smiled guiding Mary into the house. “And this time, I had a feeling it was a joyful leap, albeit unexpected.” Mary laughed. Although her situation was still a bit bewildering, she felt better knowing she wasn’t the only one who knew about it. Mary praised God aloud, feeling lighthearted and relieved. Elizabeth smiled.

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“Where is Zechariah?” Mary asked.

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“Probably at the temple,” Elizabeth replied. “I must admit, your news of your coming to us caught us off guard. You seemed very urgent.”

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“I just needed to get away for a time,” Mary admitted. “And… to see if what the angel said to me is true. And now I see it is.” Marry nodded to Elizabeth. Her cousin smiled and laid a hand on her belly. “Elizabeth, I’m scared! I know it’s nothing to worry over, but I can’t help myself! What am I going to tell Joseph? Or my parents?”

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“You haven’t told them?” Elizabeth looked at her.

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“I was too scared to,” Mary replied, “What would they say? What would Joseph say? Either they wouldn’t believe me or think that I had sinned!”

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“Calm down, cousin,” Elizabeth soothed, sitting down by the nervous girl. “God will guide things right, so you don’t need to worry about all the holes and bumps along the way. Do not worry your little soul, dear. Come, let us make some bread for Zechariah when he arrives. It will keep your mind busy.” Mary smiled gratefully at her cousin. She hugged her, relieved and not so worried anymore.

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“You are a very blessed woman, Mary,” Elizabeth said, “More than you know.”

Luke 1:26-38

This is the first part of an eight-part series, telling the story of Jesus' birth. I'll be posting each part once a day, ending the day after Christmas. Enjoy!

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Nothing is kept secret in a small town. Especially something as important as a betrothal. That is exactly what had occurred. Young Mary, a girl of about fourteen years of age, was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter in Nazareth, of the line of King David. It was exciting news, and everyone wanted to contribute to the young couple-to-be.

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After politely accepting the umpteenth offer of help for the big event, Mary retreated to her bedroom. She closed the door and sighed with relief. Even if she was prepared for becoming a wife, nothing could prepare her for that. Mary sat down on her bed and searched around for her sewing. She suddenly realized she was not alone.

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Looking up, Mary saw a man standing nearby. She jumped in surprise, dropping her sewing basket in alarm. The man looked as calm as could be, but perhaps a bit amused, too.

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“Greetings, O favored one,” he spoke gently. Mary stared at him. “The Lord is with you!” Mary continued to stare. She began to wonder what was going on. No one ever greeted her like that. Especially other men. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Mary lifted an eyebrow. This was getting a bit odd. However, the man was not finished. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” Mary’s eyes widened in shock.

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“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High,” the strange man continued. “And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary stood slowly, trying to carefully and calmly process what had been told to her. But in the end, Mary blurted out:

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“How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Mary instantly realized that this man was an angel. She regretted saying anything at all.

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“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,” Gabriel replied, “and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy¾the Son of God.” Mary opened her mouth to speak, but the angel held up his hand. “And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.”

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Mary said nothing for some time, then, she looked at the angel and said softly, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” The angel nodded, then left. Mary blinked. He was gone. Mary slowly sat down.

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She decided to leave off sewing for now.