There Were Two Women

Luke begins with the stories of two women. Elizabeth and Mary. Both became pregnant. Neither was supposed to. Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband, fits in the story because he saw the vision that foretold Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Joseph is barely mentioned. Joseph is mentioned in Matthew’s Gospel only say that God informed him of what was happening so he wouldn’t bail out.

So, we have two women. Pregnant. Expecting, we call it. When we say that Advent is a season of preparing for the coming of the Messiah in anticipation, expectation, these two had it—in spades, as they say.

Those nine months had to be an agonizing experience. On the one hand, there was the promise each had received of God. On the other hand, childbirth was a scary experience. No doctors, nurses, drugs, hospitals. Could be fatal. It was wonderful anticipation of God redeeming, but also wonder and uncertainty about what it all meant.

For Elizabeth, it meant that the small-town gossips were quieted. She could have a child. She wasn’t a pariah of God. For Mary, on the other hand, it could well have started the small-town gossips to start up. Mary, you remember was supposed to be a virgin (well, we know she was, but you know how people are…).

Have you ever experienced these emotions? You know change is coming. But will it be positive and exhilarating; or will it be pain and suffering? Or, both? Well, either way, if that change is Jesus in your life, you will be able to bear the burden and overcome.

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