![]() And to those who need to hear again, in a new way. Our proclamation to people who still have not heard. Our hearts and minds and lives are being prepared. This unfolding of the story of God’s incarnation is important to us who never fully understand, who are surprised and afraid. It must be important to the Gospel writer because we are told of Mary’s and Elizabeth’s serving sisterhood even after the previous verses already have told us of John’s birth. The parallels also continue as we sing in the sanctuary Gospel Canticles of Mary’s “Magnificat” and Zechariah’s “Benedictus.” (1:56) “And Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months.” (Almost until the time of John’s birth.) The connection between these women continues in Luke’s Gospel. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight - indeed he is coming” (Malachi 3:1). “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. ![]() To make ready for the Lord a people prepared. This one to be born, John,” will turn hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.” He will make ready for the Lord a people prepared. In this preparatory story we need this “made ready for us.” We need this because the angel speaking to Mary doesn’t actually call Jesus “Lord.” But as Luke lays out the stories, so intricately connected with two expectant women, we the readers are beginning to be made ready for what will be too amazing for us to believe. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him.” We don’t even know who this “him” is yet, except it will be the Lord their God. ![]() “He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. The child to be born will be holy he will be called Son of God.”Ībout John: “He will be great in the sight of the Lord … must never drink wine or strong drink. He will be given the throne of his ancestor David and reign over the house of Jacob. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. To Mary: “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. After these words of assurance, Mary says: (the Latin) “Ad sum” – Let it be to me as you have said.Īnd then we see the two women, old and young, helping one another – Elizabeth with acceptance and respect and wisdom, Mary with praise and prophecy and servanthood, helping aging Elizabeth and serving her God in bearing God’s child.Īnd what about these two babies yet to be born?Īgain the parallels – The angel to Zechariah: “Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you will name him John.” Mary simply says, “How can this be?”Īnd then Mary is told about Elizabeth, now six months with child. Both Zechariah and Mary hear an angel say, “Do not be afraid.” The text says Mary was perplexed Zechariah was “terrified and fear overwhelmed him.” It is written that his wife, Elizabeth, and he were righteous, living blamelessly.Īn angel appears to Zechariah. The story of the birth of the baby who would become John the Baptist begins in the more scripturally traditional way: In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a man named Zechariah, who belonged to a priestly order. ![]() The story of Elizabeth, the unlikely mother because she was old, contrasts the unlikely pregnancy of Mary, too young, and too unmarried. The coming of the Messiah who was to save the entire world is marked by the timing of two women’s pregnancies. But did you ever ask yourself, “In the sixth month of what?” Of the year? Of the reign of King Herod?Īctually: In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Thus begins the Christmas story from Luke’s Gospel, introducing us to Mary who would become the mother of Jesus the Christ.Įach year we hear those words. “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth …. That’s what our ministry is all about: making ready for the Lord a people prepared. Make ready for the Lord a people prepared. ![]() Editor’s Note: On Saturday, May 31, we remember the visit of Mary (the mother of Jesus) to Elizabeth. ![]()
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