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Gospel:
Mary set out in those days
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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The tension in the Christmas story is building.
On Monday, we encountered Zechariah. The angel Gabriel promised him that his wife, Elizabeth, although elderly and barren, would conceive a son. But Zechariah was struck mute because of his unbelief.
Yesterday, doubt succumbed to faith. Mary was told a similar message from the angel Gabriel, that she, too, would conceive a son. But she responded humbly in faith, “Let it be done unto me according to your word.”
Today, she travels 80 miles into the hill country, seeking her elderly cousin, Elizabeth. Although Mary has great faith, and accepts God’s plans for her life, she cannot live it out alone.
She needs a friend.
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This is a beautiful element added to the Christmas story: friendship.
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Think about the friends Mary makes along the way.
Today she finds comfort in Elizabeth.
When she gives birth to Jesus, she’ll be surrounded by Joseph, the shepherds, and the angels.
When she flees into Egypt, Joseph will protect her.
Even as the Lord is dying upon the Cross, Mary finds comfort in the Apostle John, who remains by her side and welcomes her into his home.
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Looking at our own journeys, when have we had such a friend, someone who supports us in our effort to live out our faith?
Are we such a friend for others?
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Like Mary, may these two elements of the Christmas story – faith and friendship – always be found in us.
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Image credits: (1) Pinterest (2) Bible Study, crosswalk.com (3) Bible Verses To Go