Mary's Song of PraiseNäide

Mary and Elizabeth

‘And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord’ (Luke 1:45 ESV)

Shortly after the angel Gabriel's visit and special message, Mary traveled to her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:35-37). Both women had become pregnant in an unexpected way. Full of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth cried out at their meeting: "Blessed are you among women!" (Luke 1:42 ESV).

What recognition and confirmation these words from Elizabeth must have been for Mary. At Elizabeth's age, pregnancy was highly unusual, but that Mary had become pregnant as a virgin was unthinkable. So many thoughts must have passed through these women, and so many special things they must have shared with one another. The arrival of the child that Mary was carrying marked a turning point in the history of God and mankind.

Since that time, we use the terms "before Christ" (BC) and "after Christ" (AD) in our era. Greater influence than these terms in our history is the influence of Mary's Child in human lives: He is the One who brings about perfect peace and reconciliation with God.