Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! (Luke 1:42)

“Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste.” (Luke 1:39)

Mary, why were you so eager to visit Elizabeth? Wouldn’t it have been better to wait until Joseph was free to travel with you? Wouldn’t the road have been safer, and the journey more enjoyable, with your betrothed?

What was it about Elizabeth that drew you to her side? The angel told you that she too had conceived miraculously. Was it because you wanted to share stories with some­one who understood the excitement and joy you were experiencing? Per­haps it was because you felt you needed to witness the birth of this first miracle baby—both to help you prepare for your own and to see the one who would set the stage for your child’s mission.

Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. (Luke 1:42) With such strange words does your kinswoman greet you! Simply by hearing your voice, she knows that something new and ex­citing has happened to you. Moved by the Spirit, she senses that you too are with child—a child who will be­come her Lord. And she honors you for believing God’s promises and surrendering so fully to his plan.

How could she know all of this? How could she have seen so much grace in you, without having first heard the wonderful news?

Perhaps this is why you were drawn to Elizabeth. Here was a woman of deep faith, a woman whom you knew to be close to God and open to his Spirit. Here was an elder kinswoman whose wisdom, counsel, and insight could prove to be invaluable to you. Here was a woman who knew the pain of being childless and yet did not give in to bitterness or sadness. Perhaps Eliza­beth could offer words to help you face the challenges that lie ahead.

How you must have treasured your relationship with Elizabeth! As you stood at the threshold of a new world—a world of new adventures, personal risk, and uncharted territo­ry—you knew you weren’t standing alone. Elizabeth was your cousin, yes, but even more important, she was your sister in the Lord!


“Mary, teach us all the value of brotherhood and sisterhood. Show us that none of us has to stand alone.”