An Advent story about Mary's visit with her cousin Elizabeth
(From the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1, verses 39-80)
After the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would be the mother of God's Son Jesus, she decided to go visit her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth, you may remember, was also going to have a baby - Jesus' cousin, John. Mary walked as quickly as she could to the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah. "I can hardly wait to share my good news with Elizabeth!" she told herself and God.
It took her a while because she had to keep stopping to rest, but finally Mary got to her cousin's home. Without even knocking, she walked in the door and called out, "Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth was lying down in the back bedroom. When she heard Mary's greeting, she felt the baby inside her belly do a somersault! As she grabbed her swollen belly, God's Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth and she knew right away why Mary had come to see her.
"Cousin!" Elizabeth called, as she got up from the bed. She came to Mary and threw her arms around her, laughing and crying at the same time. "Blessed are you, Mary, and blessed is the baby growing inside you!"
"How did you know I am going to have a baby?" Mary asked her, stepping back from Elizabeth in amazement. "Who told you my good news?"
Elizabeth laughed. "My own baby did! He is jumping for joy inside me!"
The two women hugged again. Elizabeth told her cousin, "It is so good that you have always believed everything that God has told you, Mary."
Mary took her cousin by the hand and danced around. "I am bursting with God-news! I am dancing the song of God! God took one look at me and look what happened - I am the most fortunate woman on earth! God has done something for me that will never be forgotten. God has piled blessing after blessing on God's people for so many years - and now God's love has come to me - and to you, too, Elizabeth!"
Mary stayed with Elizabeth and Zechariah for many days, returning home shortly before their baby was born.
The birth of Elizabeth's son caused a great celebration to take place in the town. Everyone knew that the baby was a sign of God's great kindness towards Elizabeth and Zechariah. Everyone cheered and shouted and sang - everyone, that is, except Zechariah. He still was unable to speak a single word! (Do you remember how the angel Gabriel had silenced Zechariah?)
When the baby was 8 days old, it was finally time to give him a name. Everyone expected him to be named Zechariah, after his father, but Elizabeth said, "No. He is to be called John."
John? What was so special about that name? "No one in your family is named John," the neighbors reminded Elizabeth. But she would not change her mind.
Turning to Zechariah, they asked him what he wanted to name the baby.
Zechariah motioned for a writing tablet. Everyone gathered around as he wrote, "His name is to be John." All of them were amazed - and even more so when suddenly Zechariah began to speak! After nine long months of silence, Zechariah began to sing: "Blessed be God who has graced us and raised up someone who will save us! And blessed be this child of mine and Elizabeth's. John will be a great prophet. His words will brighten up people's lives and give them hope. This little baby will grow up to be a man who will guide us into the way of peace."
And over the years, the baby John did grow into a man who became strong in spirit.
Questions to ponder:
I wonder if you have a cousin. I wonder if you have done fun things together with your cousin.
I wonder what it feels like to have the Holy Spirit fill you up.
I wonder what it is like not to be able to talk.
I wonder if you know anyone who is strong in spirit.