1-Elizabeth-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Elizabeth
BASTION OF BARRENNESS

BC 7
Hills of Judea

�� How can two women ~ one much too young, the other much too old ~ change the direction of a nation that its officially selected leaders could never change? [1]

�� How can two women that no one ever heard of actually believe their sons - not even born yet - will grow up to lead the nation into freedom from the most powerful force in the world? [2]

�� The audacity!� The simplistic nerve!

�� Besides, the old one - Elizabeth - is way too shy.� Has been all her life.� Can't get her to say anything in a group.� That is, if you ever catch her in a group.� More like a wall flower.� Sometimes even a recluse.

�� Don't be surprised if her son turns out to be just like her instead of bold enough to actually lead the nation like she thinks.� Don't be surprised if he shies away from people like she does.� Don't be surprised if he becomes a hermit.� Just like his mother.

�� Then there's their husbands.� The young one doesn't even have a husband.� Got pregnant anyway.� And the old one's husband?� If ever opposites attracted, it certainly was so of Elizabeth and Zechariah.� Zechariah talks too much.� Never knows when to shut up.

�� When her husband goes to serve his monthly term at the Temple once every other year, she doesn't go with him.� Too much excitement.� too many people.� Too public. [3]

�� In fact, she'd rather not live in Jerusalem at all like some of the priests do. [4]

�� Actually, she doesn't like city living anywhere.� She likes the quiet country life.� Deep down she has always been a country girl, even now that she is growing old. [5]

�� Elizabeth should have gotten used to the idea by now.� What idea?� The new one.� She is with child.

�� Pregnant at her age?� How can it be?� She knows.� Her husband knows.� But no one else knows.� It is a miracle.� But how do you explain a miracle?� A woman in her sixties just doesn't become pregnant. [6]

�� And to complicate things, her husband has been unable to talk since the angel came to him with the news of her imminent pregnancy.� He could have explained it to people.� Elizabeth can't explain anything.� She wants to be excited about it, but so many other things are going wrong.

�� "God, why now?" she prays at night.� "My baby needs a father who can talk.� Why now?" [7]

�� "Elizabeth, are you sure you need to stay in bed all this time?" Zechariah scribbles on the small clay tablet he carries with him now.� "It's been three months."

�� Frustrated and frightened, Elizabeth pats her abdomen, indicating she must for the sake of the baby.

�� Her husband does not agree.� But what does he know?� He's never had an expecting wife before. [8]

�� Several minutes later he returns with her lunch.� He leaves it within her reach, then returns to his work in the other room.

�� Elizabeth has not eaten since yesterday.� Nausea still.� But she forces down what she can.� For the sake of the baby.

� When she is through, she gets out the scroll she keeps nearby and continues reading where she had left off.� It is about Elijah.� The angel said her baby would be strong like Elijah, and would prepare people for the coming of the Messiah, the Deliverer. [9]

�� "Oh, God," she prays.� "Help me raise this child so he will be strong, and so he won't run from his responsibilities." She pauses.� She reflected.� "....Like me, God.� I hide because I'm afraid.� Afraid of losing the baby, afraid of explaining things to people.� Help me, too, not run from my responsibilities."

�� But by the end of the day she feels she has prayed in vain.� She cannot imagine herself standing before her neighbors and allowing them to gape at her.� How is she ever going to teach her son to stand before kings?

�� It is now four months.� Zechariah is kneeling by her bed smiling.� He pulls back her covers, takes both her hands, and gently encourages her to get out of bed.� As usual, Elizabeth hesitates.� But this time she knows Zechariah has made up his mind.

�� So with tears in her eyes, she swings her feet around, stands up, puts her arms in his, and walks out to the courtyard.� It is a warm early-summer day.� It does feel good to have the sunny breeze flowing gently through her hair.� He leads her toward her cushion.� As she walks, her tears begin to recede.� She smiles.� It is nice.

�� Of course Zechariah was right.� She does need to get up and around more.� The chance of losing the baby should be past by now.� She needs the exercise.� She needs to stay strong.� She sits and looks at the mess he has left with the pots around her cooking oven.

�� After awhile, she gets up and begins to straighten them up.� She is surprised at how easily she tires.� She cannot let this happen.� She must get her strength back.� So, in silence she works her way around the courtyard putting things back where they belong.� The light things, that is.� She doesn't want to endanger the child, of course.

�� But, as usual, she must do it in silence.� Always the silence.� How is she ever going to be able to raise her son with her husband not able to talk?

�� With things half in order, she heads back to her bedroom.� Zechariah notices and stops her.� He leads her over to a bench and smiles in such a way as to let her know that she is going to have to get used to being up and around during the day.

�� And so she does.� Each morning she gets up, gets washed, then goes to her cushion.� After another rest, she prepares the first meal of the day.� Then she rests again.� She knows in a little while someone will appear at their gate from the market with the groceries for the day.� Zechariah will answer the gate, for she is still not ready to tell the world about her pregnancy.

�� Sometimes in the afternoon, she gets out the scroll and reads once more about Elijah.� She thinks of the ups and downs of Elijah's life.� He performed unbelievable miracles, then wanted to die.� He stood up to the king and queen, then ran for his life, and then returned to his country to put his life in danger again.� Will that be the kind of life her son will lead? [10]

�� Zechariah returns home.� He has been gone to take care of business.,� He sees her reclining on the cushions in the courtyard napping, the scroll on the ground next to her.� He knows what she has been reading.

�� Gently he wakens her and hands her a mug of juice.

�� "Oh, I didn't know you were back," she replies, knowing he cannot hear her, but frustrated with no one to talk to.

�� It has now been five months since Elizabeth became pregnant.� Five months of trying to absorb the whole thing.� Five months of praying in frustration over her husband's inability to either hear or speak.

�� Five months of reading about the first Elijah, knowing that the son within her must declare to the people that their Deliverer will come in their life time.� He will even have to declare it to the king himself, she is sure.� Just like Elijah.� Just like Elijah.

�� "Elizabeth, you must start getting out.� The neighbors keep asking about you," Zechariah scratches out on a clay tablet.

�� "Not that again. I just can't bring myself to do it.� How will I explain it to people?"[11]

�� "You'll figure it out," her husband scribbles.

�� Although she smiles in agreement, he knows he has lost again.� She is not going anywhere.� What is it going to take to get her out of the house?� It's just not like her.� She has always been a little shy, but she has never stayed away from people like this before. He grows more and more worried about her.

�� Zechariah does not push her too much.� What if the sensationalist gossips get hold of the story?� What if news reaches other towns?� Of course she is too old to be pregnant.� Then what happens to their privacy?

�� So many reasons to stay to herself.� Some good.� Some not good.

�� It is summer and she stays out in their courtyard most days.� She hears people out on the street and begins to think about her old friends.� She wonders why she has backed away from everyone.� She wonders why she has been so fearful.� She has been fearful before, but nothing like what she has experienced since the pregnancy.

�� "It's not me.� It's just not me," she declares to her husband one day on a clay tablet.� She has wanted so to be happy.� But she hadn't been able to control her depression.� But that is nearly over.

�� "Being pregnant?" he scribbles back.

�� "Being so selfish," she writes.

�� Zechariah responds by shaking his head no.

�� "What if my friends have been needing me?" she writes.� Then she begins making a list.� "Rebecca.� Eve.� Hulda.� Sarah."

�� He does not try to reply.� He knows she is about to return to her old self.� Shy, yes.� She would never make a speech.� But to the point of shying away from others?� She had never done that.

�� Elizabeth stands and looks at the pots she had used in the past to take food to the sick.� They've been up on that shelf since last winter.� What has happened to her friends?� Have they needed her and she wasn't around to help?

�� She goes to her bedroom where she keeps her shawl, and comes back with it on.� Zechariah is pleased.� His wife is about to go visiting.

�� But she sits back down and takes her shawl back off.� "What will I tell people?" she scribbles?

�� "I'll go with you," Zechariah writes.� "I've already explained to them why I can't talk.� They know about you."

�� "They know?"

�� Of course, Elizabeth should have known that her husband could not keep his mouth shut, so to speak, when he had such exciting news.� "The Deliverer is coming!" he must have written to them.� "The Deliverer is coming!� He's going to be a friend of the family.� He's going to be a personal friend of our son."

�� Zechariah takes his elderly wife's hand, and she gets up from her seat.� He helps her put her shawl back on, then walks with her to the gate.

�� She can do it.� He knows she can.� As long as he is beside her, she knows she can too.

�� Zechariah opens the gate and Elizabeth follows him out.� She looks at the familiar sights and feels glad to be back.� They turn and begin to walk slowly up the street.� A few people pass them not noticing.� But then the inevitable.

�� "Elizabeth?� Is that you?"� It is her best friend, Rebecca.� "Oh, Elizabeth.� I had heard you were pregnant.� But I thought Zechariah was just getting senile and making the whole thing up.� He was right!� Elizabeth, just look at you!"

�� The women embrace.� "Come see me, Elizabeth.� I've been missing you."

�� Little by little people recognize her and stop to talk.� "Is it true?� You're going to have a miracle baby?� Oh, Elizabeth, it is true!� I'm so happy for you!"

�� Little by little Elizabeth realizes she does not have anything to explain.� She had brought her worry upon herself.� She hadn't realized how much people loved her, and would therefore believe her.� She needn't have stayed away from them as she had.

�� Days go by.� Gradually Elizabeth returns to her old life.� But a life that is still different.� It will never be the same again.� For now she is pregnant.� And people on the street hear her declare proudly, "God did this for me.� He's been kind to me after all, and I will never again feel embarrassed because I could not have children just like all of you." [12]

�� In the evenings she ponders how irrational she had become in her fear.� She had been embarrassed when she could not have children.� Then, when she became pregnant, she was embarrassed by that.� How inconsistent humans can be sometimes, she thinks.

�� "God, forgive me," she prays sometimes.� God knows what she means.

�� It is now six months.� Elizabeth has had a lot of visitors.� Everyone in town has wanted to see this old woman that isn't supposed to be pregnant but is.� The men slap Zechariah on the back.� The women exchange stories about their own pregnancy experiences, and what it is like to hold one's own baby.

�� And with the attention, Elizabeth finds herself talking ore and more about Elijah.� "He's going to be like Elijah, you know," she tells people.� They're not sure why.� But she tells them anyway and they smile with gladness for their friend.

�� Often at night she wonders who the deliverer will be.� Will she recognize him?� Then she reminds herself he has not been born yet.� But he will be soon.� Who is the mother?� Is she pregnant yet?� Does she know her?� Is she in seclusion too?� What is her name?� Will the mothers ever meet?

Nazareth Galilee

�� Mary is up early fixing breakfast for the entire family by herself.� She has not really slept anyway.

�� "The Son of God....� The Son of God...."� The words echo through her mind continually as they have all night. [13]

��"Mary!� What's the special occasion?" her mother asks, delighted with the surprise breakfast.

��"Could I go see Aunt Elizabeth?� Please, may I?"� Mary is quite aware that Elizabeth is actually her cousin, but she is older than Mary's parents.� So Mary feels more comfortable calling her aunt. [14]

�� "Well...."

�� "Please?� I just want to get away awhile before my wedding."

�� "It's a long trip down south.� But I guess it will be okay."

�� "Oh, thank you, Father.� Thank you, Mother.� I love you so much."

�� "We love you too, Mary," they answer, perplexed at her sudden expressiveness.

�� Mary spends the rest of the day washing and drying clothes and packing them in her tote.� Her parents think she'll just be gone a couple weeks.� But, if Elizabeth is truly pregnant, Mary knows she'll be pregnant too.� She has to get some advice from Elizabeth on how to handle the family.� And Joseph.� And her friends.� She really needs Elizabeth right now.

�� The next day at dawn, the family takes her to a caravan forming at the city gate as it does periodically, and sends her on her way.� "Now stay close to them.� The soldiers on the road should leave you alone.� This caravan leader is known to them.� They leave him alone.� So stay close.� Stay safe," her father warns over and over.

�� The young girl working her donkey into the small group traveling together for safety demands no attention by the others.� Not by word, demeanor, or anything else.

�� Though Mary believes deep within her soul that her body now protects and nourishes the offspring of the Creator, she looks no different.� No halo given her by God.� She has not made for herself special clothing or jewelry to display how holy she is.

�� Mary settles as comfortably as possible on her donkey, locks her knees for extra support, closes her eyes, and prays.

�� "God, please let Elizabeth be pregnant.� If she's pregnant, then I know I am.� God, I believe I am, but I can't know for sure yet.� It's too soon.� Help me know for sure.� Please, God, let Elizabeth be pregnant." [15]

�� Sometimes Mary briefly dreams.� Often she wonders.

�� Gradually the terrain changes.� Gradually the flat land is left behind.� It is getting hilly.

�� "Please be pregnant, Aunt Elizabeth," Mary continually repeats silently.� "God, please make Elizabeth be pregnant."

�� Now it is almost mountainous.� Fewer trees.� winding.� Around curves.� Leaning.� Swaying.� Panting.� God leans low and protects the traveling group with his own hand.

Hills of Judea

�� One afternoon Elizabeth finds herself looking out the window facing the street.� She does not now why.� She just does.� She goes for a walk.� She watches the women pass by.� Who is the Deliverer's mother?� Does she live in the same town?� Or does she live in Jerusalem?� That's where the government is.� Perhaps she is in Jerusalem.

�� It is now late afternoon.� Elizabeth is busy fixing their evening meal.� Still she listens for something out in the street.� She is not sure for what.� Or for who?

�� At long last, just as the sun swells into a red glow in readiness to slip away, Mary's caravan stops at the inn for the night.� She will go on into the village.� Elizabeth and Zechariah live here.

�� "Got everything you need?" says the caravan leader, knowing this is where Mary will be leaving them.�

�� "Yes, but does anyone know which house belongs to Zechariah the priest?"

�� Minutes later, a lone donkey stops in front of Zechariah's and Elizabeth's house.� Her heart in her throat, Mary slips down, stands in front of the gate and stares.� A little fear wells up inside her.� What if Elizabeth is not pregnant?

�� "Well, God, that is it.� If Elizabeth is pregnant, then I know for sure that I am.� God, please let Elizabeth be pregnant."

�� Mary ties her donkey to a post, takes her tote down, then pauses.� "Please, God.� Please...."

�� Then knocks.

�� Then waits.

�� What will Mary find?� Will she be given that final confirmation of the angel's promise?� That final confirmation of her faith?� Or was it all a trick?

�� The gate slowly opens.

�� Mary takes a deep breath.

�� And there stands Elizabeth.� There she stands....PREGNANT!� Very, very pregnant!� Six months along and protruding very nicely, thank you!

�� "Oh, Aunt Elizabeth!� You are!� You are pregnant!"

�� Although Elizabeth has never seen Mary before, she instantly understands who she is.

�� The old woman and the young woman fall on each other's necks, embracing and refusing to let go.� Tears rush to their eyes.� They sway back and forth with each other.� Locked in love and faith.� Locked in divine understanding and ultimate submission.� Locked in a kind of holiness thus far known only to three people in all the world.

�� Finally Mary loosens her grip and lays her arm on Elizabeth's shoulders.� They look in each other's eyes through glistening tear drops, and begin to weep all over again.� Their embrace returns as before, and they put their heads on each other's shoulders.

�� "Aunt Elizabeth....� Aunt Elizabeth," Mary whispers.� "He WAS an angel.� It WAS God's message."

�� She pauses to gain control of tears still wishing to slip down her cheeks.

�� "I know now that I am really pregnant with the son of God.� Oh, Elizabeth, how could it be happening to me, of all the girls in the universe?"

�� Elizabeth pulls back and puts her hand on her protruding womb.� "He's kicking, Mary," she whispers with a grin.�" Feel him!"

�� She puts Mary's hand in her own.� "He's leaping with joy even inside my womb," she says a little louder.� "He can hear us talk.� He knows.� He knows, just like you and I know!"[17]

�� Not only has Mary's faith been confirmed by Elizabeth, but Elizabeth's has been confirmed by Mary.

��"You are so favored by God, Mary!" she exclaims excitedly.� "You're favored above all other women in history!"� Could this be Elizabeth talking?� Shy Elizabeth?� What is happening to her?

�� The older woman hugs Mary once more, then continues as though telling the whole world. �"Your baby, Mary, will be given God's mightiest esteem!� What an honor this is, that the mother of my Deliverer should visit me!" [18]

�� Mary blushes at the role reversal she is feeling.� After all, she is just a teenager, and her elderly cousin is looking up to her.

�� Zechariah, on the other side of the courtyard, though not having heard anything, realizes the gate is still standing open.� He wonders if his wife needs help getting rid of a peddler.� He walks in that direction, then sees his wife with a younger woman.� Elizabeth takes his clay tablet and scratches on it the single word, "M-A-R-Y."

�� Zechariah looks at the young lady, smiles, and under that scratches, "D-E-L-I-V-E-R-E-R?"

�� Both women nod their heads yes.� Zechariah holds out his arms and embraces his young cousin.� So many blessings in this one family!� How could it be so?

�� Zechariah responds to Mary with special understanding, for he was told by the angel months before even Mary knew.� "Thank you, God," his heart shouts aloud.

�� Now the message is a reality.� Hardly able to control his happiness, he mouths the words bursting within his heart.� "Thank you, God."� And he raises his arms toward heaven.

�� God smiles back a hearty YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

�� Knowing he cannot converse with the women, he returns to his earlier task.� But his hands are shaking so, he puts his work back down.� Instead he stares into the hearts of his family.� And of mankind.� Besides, the women need to talk.� It will be good for his Elizabeth.� He can already tell a big difference in her.

�� Elizabeth moves around to Mary's side and directs her toward some cushions.� Zechariah has put extras there for Mary.� Sitting opposite each other now, the two women rejoin hands, and look into each other's eyes.� Elizabeth continues in an excited whisper.� Like sharing a delightful secret.

�� "When you came in and greeted me," Elizabeth explains, "the instant I heard your voice, my baby moved in me for joy!"

�� "All those prophecies the angel explained to me," Mary relates, "all those things predicted hundreds of years ago...."

�� "You believed that god would do what he said; that is why he has given you this wonderful blessing." [19]

�� "I'm about to burst," Mary explains.� "I'm delirious with delight.� God chose me above all other women in the world.� Me!" [20]

�� ";Oh, little Mary, I'm so happy for you."

�� "God is now going to show how strong he is before our strong-arm government.� He's going to pull them out of power, and in their places put their victims.� At last the oppressed poor will have the money of the rich so they can live decently.� He has protected every generation, and he will protect ours." [21]

�� The women stare at each other in silence, knowing how unable they are to truly express the inexpressible.� Elizabeth interrupts their thoughts with the more down-to-earth.

�� "Oh, you must be starved, child.� Sit right there while I warm up some stew for you."� Elizabeth knows she is at least a good cook.� Well, that's what everyone tells her.� That much she knows she can do.

�� Stew duly consumed, Elizabeth escorts her young cousin to a bedroom.� Mary's tote is already in it.� "This is our guest room.� We want you to stay as long as you need to."

�� "Elizabeth, I don't know how to tell everyone back home.� I don't know how to explain it.� It was hard enough for me to believe, and I saw the angel in person.� How am I ever going to explain it to my family?� And my neighbors?� And my Joseph?"

�� Such questions.� How can Elizabeth help Mary with them when she has so many herself?� "We'll exchange some ideas about it in the morning," she replies.� "And, Mary, I'm so glad you came.� For selfish reasons I'm glad.� I needed someone to talk to."

�� Days come and go.� Mary gets settled in.� She does everything she can to take work off Elizabeth so she can rest as much as possible.� She even does the daily food shopping for her.� And the laundry.� But� Elizabeth still insists on doing the cooking.� She loves to cook.� So Mary cleans up afterwards.

�� In the evening the two women, touched by their mission in life, get their scripture scrolls out and read, looking for passages describing their respective sons.

�� "Look, Elizabeth," Mary says excitedly.� "The prophet Malachi said your son will be as great as the prophet Elijah, and will turn the hearts of the fathers to their families instead of fighting." [22]

�� "Look here what I found," Elizabeth responds.� "David prophesied your son will rule forever."� Then, taking Mary's hand and looking deep into her eyes, "You are blessed above all women, sweet Mary." [23]

�� Then back to searching through the scriptures.� Excited with the revelation of one prophecy, and awed by another.� Alternately elated and filled with wonder.� A little at a time building up each other's confidence.� And their own.

�� Gradually, too, the two women adjust their routine.� Elizabeth sleeps a little longer in the morning.� Mary can't eat in the morning.� But she does manage to get some kind of breakfast made for Zechariah and Elizabeth by the time they are up.� They have to eat it away from her, though.� If she is around food too long in the morning, she becomes nauseated.

�� And they talk.� Talk and encourage and reassure.

�� "Oh, Aunt Elizabeth, how am I ever going to raise God's son?� I won't know what to say or do."

�� "Just be the kind of mother your mother has been to you.� God wants you to take care of the human side of his son.� That's all.� God will take care of the rest."� Elizabeth knows she is giving herself this same advice, overcoming her own what-ifs.

�� Housework and napping and meals and going for walks fill their days.� Reading God's Word for explanations of their sons fill their evenings.� And the prayers.� After listening to God talk to them, needing to talk to God.

�� "Please help us raise our babies," Elizabeth prays.�

�� "Yes, God, we are just human.� We will need your help,"Mary adds.

�� Elizabeth is now seven months along.� Eventually it gets so that fixing evening meals is a little strenuous for her.� So Mary takes over that responsibility too.� She has to use sign language to Zechariah, though, to find out what he is in the mood to eat for his dinner.

�� Elizabeth sits nearby on her cushions.� From there she tells Mary where everything is she needs for the meal.� They chat almost unendingly.� Always something to talk through.

�� Sometimes up.� Sometimes down.� Their emotions.� Wondering why them.� Then accepting the best that they know how.� Then excitement.� Then back to doubt.� And all over again.

�� Now and then Zechariah wanders over to them and stands with his head bobbing back and forth between the two women, watching them talk and reply to each other.� Then he grins, points to his useless mouth, and shrugs his shoulders as though to say, "It's just as well I'm unable to talk; I couldn't get a word in edge wise anyway."

�� The women know what he means and grin, handing him a goblet of juice to occupy his stomach until meal time.

�� Mary's womb is beginning to bulge some now.� She has no more doubts that she is indeed pregnant.� As pregnant as Elizabeth. [24]

�� "Sometimes I'm really afraid of what my family will do."

�� "You know, Mary, you have the scriptures to back you up."

�� "Even if they do believe me, our neighbors won't.� They'll be so cruel to us."

�� "You had your choice, Mary.� You could have stayed there and quickly married Joseph, and no one would have been the wiser.� But proving that you conceived, even though still a virgin, was vital and you knew it.� You had the wisdom to come here away from Joseph.� That took a lot of courage.� God knew you were gutsy.� You'll get though the neighbor's taunts.� You're strong."

�� "But the neighbors will want to have me arrested for committing adultery." [25]

�� "Joseph is the one who will have to press charges.� If he is the kind of young man you say he is, I just don't believe he'll do it."

�� Elizabeth sounds so strong and wise when she gives advice to others.� Still, she wonders about how she will deal with her own life.� will she have the courage to teach little John courage?� "God, don't let me fear the crowds as I do," she prays without Mary knowing.

�� Still the days go by.� And more weeks.� Elizabeth is now eight months along in her miracle pregnancy.

�� The elderly woman rests more and more.� Mary spends more time taking over responsibilities of the house, and resting herself.� And she prays alone.

�� "God, help me raise your baby.� God, help my family understand.� And Joseph.� God, will Joseph understand? �Will he still love me?� Will he still want me?"

�� Elizabeth, too, prays yet another prayer.� "God, help Zechariah and I to live long enough to raise our son.� Help us teach him properly.� Help me not be like me.� I'm so shy.� Make him like Zechariah.� Zechariah always knows what to say.� Zechariah is brave.� Make him like his father."

"There is going to be so much pressure from the neighbors and gossips," Mary says for the tenth time in two days.� "They won't believe me.� I know they won't.� They'll think my baby is illegitimate.� They'll treat us terribly.� I don't think I can take that." [26]

�� "You are officially betrothed to Joseph.� He will stand by you and give you courage, just like Zechariah stands by me.� He'll help you face the neighbors and everyone else.� You just wait and see."

�� "But what if Joseph won't finalize our marriage?"

�� "Have faith in God," Elizabeth advises both Mary and herself.� "God will help Joseph through all this.� I believe your Joseph will play an important role in your baby's upbringing."

�� "I keep praying he will, Elizabeth.� I keep praying he will.� I love him so."

�� Days go by.� And weeks.

�� "The responsibility of raising God's baby," Mary says one morning, absent-mindedly laying a freshly-washed plate in her gradually disappearing lap.� "Can I do it?"

�� "If the Lord hadn't believed you could handle it, child, he wouldn't have chosen you," Elizabeth always replies.� Once more, God has used Mary to give his answers to Elizabeth.

�� "But my family."

�� "You have a good family.� Once you have had a chance to sit down with them and point out the fulfillment of the prophecies made about our Deliverer hundreds of years ago, they will believe.� Besides, my own baby will be proof to them, just like it was to you.� I know them.� Their faith has survived many things," Elizabeth continues, trying to maintain her self-confidence for Mary's sake.� "It will survive this too."

�� "Do you think it will help if you sent my parents a letter?� Kind of warning them that I'll have some shocking news?� I'm nearly three months along now.� I can't hide it."

�� "I tell you what I'll do.� I'll write them a letter and give it to you to take home with you after you've seen little John for yourself."

�� Two days later, just as the sun is half way to its noon-time pinnacle, the miracle baby of Zechariah and elizabeth is presented to the world.� In a little house of a relatively unknown priest.� To a woman too shy to be a miracle mother.[27]

�� Elizabeth holds her gift from God, and weeps in deep joy.� "Who would have ever thought I would finally have my own baby to rock and love like all the other women?� Who would have ever thought any of this would happen?� Oh, God.� Thank you.� Thank you."

�� She hands the baby to her husband.� Then, for a moment filled with holiness, the threesome, all gifts from God to each other, merge in heart and soul.�

�� The impossible has grown from a spark of hope to a blaze of glory.� The impossible has emerged from the horizon of doubt to shining victory.� The impossible has become possible.

�� Zechariah thinks to himself, "At last a son to pass on the family name.� Our family will not die out after all."

�� Zechariah is wrong.� His son will grow up, announce the Deliverer, and be executed as a political threat.� Without a wife, without a son, a grandson for Zechariah.� But for now, Zechariah does not know any of this.� It is just as well. [28]

��"Mary," Elizabeth whispers, half breaking the spell.� "She needs to see our miracle."� Zechariah understands and takes the baby to Mary who has been waiting out in the courtyard, knowing this is their moment.� Knowing that surely this means her moment will come too.

�� Mary takes the miracle baby in her arms.� He opens his eyes briefly and speaks to her heart.� She instinctively kisses him on the cheek, then holds that cheek next to her own.� How warm it is.� How warm and reassuring the God of love is.� The Life Giver.� The Miracle Maker.

�� She takes the precious baby in to Elizabeth and hands him back to his mother ever so gently.� Elizabeth and Mary smile.� Their hearts touch.� Miracles do happen.� Mary believes now that she can handle anything.

�� Two weeks later Mary decides it is time to return home.� Zechariah's voice returned to him a week ago.� Everything is okay in their home now.� Very okay.� She knows it is now time to face her parents.� Her neighbors.� Her Joseph. [29]

�� The next morning at dawn, Mary peaks in Elizabeth's room to say good-bye.� Luckily Elizabeth is awake.� The two women embrace.

�� "Our sons.� They'll be friends some day," Mary says walking slowly backward toward the door.

��"Yes, they will.� Perhaps they already are."

LIFE APPLICATION

1. The original Greek of the Bible says Elizabeth "hid around" the first five months of her pregnancy. In a sense, Mary also hid the first three months of her pregnancy, visiting relatives in another province. Would it benefit you to get away from your usual friends and relatives for awhile in order to re-evaluate your life? How could you do this even if you still had to go to work and see them every day?

2. Because Elizabeth and Mary quoted so many prophecies when they greeted each other, it shows they were already searching the scriptures for help with their lives. Today we have the benefit of a full index to the Bible called a CONCORDANCE; it's the size of a large phone book. We can look up any topic with a key word and find out everything the Bible has to say about it. What is going on in your life that you're confused about? Get a concordance from your library or a book store and use it to search the scriptures about your own life.

3. Think of an older person in your life who took time to understand you and give you a little advice. How did they do it? Can you return the favor by doing or saying kind things to them, even though they are older?

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws