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The relationship between Mary and Elizabeth was very special.
They were cousins with a wide age range between them.
They were two women sharing the same experience.
Elizabeth was past the child bearing years and miraculously expecting a son she would name John.
Mary still in her youth and a virgin miraculously expecting a son she would name Jesus.
They both shared a miracle and they both knew how miraculous each of those were for each other.
I am sure upon her visit with Elizabeth she wanted to talk and share and tell everything about
the story of the angel and what was said between them. I am also sure she was encouraged and affirmed through ‘this sharing’.
Elizabeth believed her story and believed the call on her life and affirmed her by saying “my baby leaped upon hearing you.”
How could she not believe for she was carrying a child and that certainly was not possible had it not been for a miracle given to herself.
Elizabeth ministered to Mary in such a way that I don’t believe we can realize.
She confirmed in her heart she was special.
I believe because of their age difference Elizabeth understood the important role that Mary would play in becoming the mother of Jesus. I even wonder can you imagine the hugs between them.
It would be a sister to sister hug no one would understand shared only between the two of them.
At first when Joseph heard about the baby he wanted to quietly send Mary away to protect her and her family from shame.
For to be with child and not married was a tremendous shame in that culture and Joseph knew that it would be hurtful to her.
Through his obedience he showed Mary love and compassion by taking her to be his wife.
That is what happens when we care for someone when we want the best for them.
Each person in the story were a part of the miracle.
The miracle of birth and life and peace and hope.
The story of their shared miracles continues through out history.
We are still reading the story of the baby born in a city called Bethlehem.
We still sing about the wise men who came from a far to see him.
Each of them were a part of a miracle and a story of love and redemption too.
If we opened our hearts and understand there was a reason for this ‘miracle’.
This shared miracle … of a baby born in a little town of Bethlehem.