39 Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. 40 She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. 43 Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.” 46 Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! 47 In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. 48 He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant. Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored 49 because the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name. 50 He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God. 51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations. 52 He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed.54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, 55 just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.” (Luke 1:39-55, CEB)
Mary went to see Elizabeth and John lept when he heard Mary’s voice!
John knew that Mary was the mother of Jesus even before he was born.
This is hard for us to fathom. This is hard for me to believe.
But the Scripture says this. So it must be true, right?
Do you know any of your family’s stories? Are they all 100% true?
Sometimes details are embellished or changed ever so slightly to help make the story better.
John prepared the way for Jesus in many ways and was a great person of faith. John did many things to help many believe in Christ and to be followers of the way. John gave his life for the faith.
And this story tells of cousins who had babies and both were over joyed in the circumstance, one being “too old” and one being “too unwed” for babies, but their lives were changed, as our lives were changed by their babies.
Love the story. Share the story of a baby born in Bethlehem, in a stable, to show the world how to love.
Loving People. Loving God.