The eighth day of December

Instead of moving into the seventh person of the Christmas story.
I think we need to spend a bit of time focusing on Mary again.
When Elizabeth reacted so strongly to her and her baby to be,
Mary listened and took it into her heart.
Can you even imagine this moment between them?
They had been close for many years and then all of a sudden
Elizabeth is praising her as the one who is Blessed
among all women…and she was called “the mother of my Lord.”
That was very affirming and also very encouraging to this young
expectant mommy to be who was basically in a crisis pregnancy.
We find Mary’s response both amazing and prophetic in Luke 1: 46-55
Mary’s song of Praise begins:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will be called blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Her reaction was powerful.
She knew the Old Testament and knew the stories of old.
She realized that she was favored and chosen.
Elizabeth validated that within her as only a close friend can do.
She realized for ever in time, from now on she would be known
as the Mother of Jesus. It wasn’t enough to just be expecting
but she was expecting with great anticipation the Son of God.
What an amazing reaction to a life changing moment.
From a young very vulnerable and very trusting teenager.
On this eighth day of December we think of Mary and
the many things that would change for her as time moved on
in the Christmas story.