Saturday, December 3, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
Luke 1:39–55

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” And Mary said, “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 call me 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.” (NRSV)

Reflection

Some amazing women have been revealed throughout history. It is remarkable that Mary and Elizabeth are the central figures of this story in the Bible. It was written in a patriarchal culture, and there are few places in the Bible where women are the main characters.

God chose, and Luke chose to record, that Mary was to give birth to Jesus, who would transform the world. Elizabeth would give birth to John the Baptist, who would pave the way. Mary and Elizabeth were not wealthy or famous leaders of their day. They weren’t royalty or even at the upper echelon of society. They were poor women from the countryside. They were people you might walk by on the street and not pay attention to.

And Mary gives us the Magnificat—the prophecy that announces salvation through the birth of Jesus and praises God for the gift God is giving the world through Mary. God did not choose a rich and powerful woman to be the mother of Jesus and proclaim the Magnificat. God chose Mary, God’s lowly, poor servant.

As we prepare for the birth of Jesus, let us reflect on Mary and Elizabeth: who they were and what their sons would mean to us. Let us remember the women who have had an impact on our lives.

Prayer

God, we thank you for Mary and Elizabeth, and we remember the women in our lives who have affected us in ways known and unknown. Thank you for sending Jesus into the world. Amen.

Written by Anthony Hipp, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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