Today’s Reading: Luke 1:39-56, 2:1-7

In August of 1996, after three miscarriages, I received a promise from the Lord that I would have a baby “a year from now”. Time passed between the promise and the pregnancy. I had a choice to believe God’s promise or to spend time worrying if God’s promise would come true.

I wonder what it was like for Elizabeth to be past childbearing years when she received her promise. How much time passed between the message from the angel and her first signs of pregnancy? I wonder if she questioned God’s promise, or if she had a staying peace for what her future held.

During his time of silence, Zechariah had plenty of time to consider what the angel had said. He had time to look over the Scriptures and remind himself of all God had promised to the people of Israel. He could take his new piece of the puzzle and fit it into the big picture.

Luke 1:24 says that Elizabeth went into seclusion for five months after she became pregnant. There is no evidence that this was an Old Testament custom or command, therefore many theologians believe that Elizabeth took time to have a spiritual retreat of sorts to beautifully honor God for answering her prayer. Mary also responded beautifully to a similar message she received from the angel — the promise that she would have a baby even though she was a virgin.

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. – Luke 1:35-38

A few days after the angel appeared to Mary, she traveled to visit Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s voice, the child within Elizabeth leaped and Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit. Only a few days had passed since the angel had come to Mary. Had she told anyone yet of what the angel had spoken? Did her family know? Did Joseph know? Now here she is, probably still trying to soak it all in, greeted by Elizabeth, who seems to already know the big news. This greeting was most likely more than Mary had even wished for. Mary was not going to be scolded or questioned or accused. Instead, Elizabeth greeted her with a blessing for Mary and for her baby.

“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said” (Luke 1:45). Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke what I believe Mary needed to hear – what God Himself was saying to her through Elizabeth.

So here’s a question for you – Do you believe? Is your faith strong enough to believe that God is going to do what He says He will do? Are you willing to trust Him while you wait?

Lord, will you give us the faith to trust you between the problem and the promise? In the same way, give us the strength to wait patiently for you between the promise and the fulfillment of the promise. Help us to see that you are working all things out in your perfect timing for your perfect plan. May our soul sing of your goodness while reflecting our response to your generous mercy, just like Mary’s song:

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.” – Luke 1:46-55

Mary clung to the promise given to her throughout her pregnancy. Joseph responded in obedience to the instructions the Lord gave him through the angel. And God was faithful to provide for them, just as He said He would.

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire…All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. – Luke 2:1-7