NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress
As was the case with many of the priests who served in the temple, Zechariah and Mary’s home was not far from Jerusalem. Mary’s mother’s sister, her uncle Benjamin, walked with her the last few miles west to the village of Ein Kerem.
Mary entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed with a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me? The instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
In one way, Mary was taken aback by his unusual greeting. In another way though, it filled her with joy! She had been right in wanting to come to see her aunt. They were uniquely sharing some as yet not understood blessing from The Highest One.
Before she had time to turn and thank Uncle Benjamin for bringing her here, she suddenly felt as though her tongue was not under her control and she heard herself uttering something entirely different and at the same time most beautiful words:
“My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior, because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed, because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him.
“He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts. He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position; he has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty.
“He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Just as suddenly, the oration was over. Mary was amazed. Where had that come from?
As if reading her mind, Elizabeth said, “Child, that was nothing less than the Spirit of Jehovah speaking through you! You are indeed most blessed to have The Highest One come upon you like this. How can we ever thank our Lord for these favours to us, among the least of his people?”
Mary had no answer to that. Understanding the full meaning of what was happening to them was still far away. Right now she was just happy to be with family who shared some of her blessing and could hopefully help her begin to understand it further.
Then she turned to thank her uncle and after he had shared some refreshments with Zechariah and his sister Elizabeth, he left to return to Jerusalem.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. But during those three months, they shared a lot of talks. Mary was blessed by the wisdom of her aunt. She was happy in return to help her aunt with housework. It was troubling though to see her dear uncle struggle with his being mute. However, she also loved him dearly and they managed to get along alright. It was also during these months that she too felt her babe move in her womb. This experience only deepened her wonder. Something great and also greatly beyond her was happening in and with her own body.
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