Promises

Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.” Mary said,
“With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
    In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
    Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored
        because the mighty one has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
    He shows mercy to everyone,
        from one generation to the next,
        who honors him as God.
He has shown strength with his arm.
    He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
    He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones
        and lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away empty-handed.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
        remembering his mercy,
    just as he promised to our ancestors,
        to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”
(Luke 1:39-55, CEB)

Mary had every reason to be skeptical of what was happening. An angel came and told her she was going to have a child and it was from God. Well having a child was impossible since she had never been with a man and was not married. It was also impossible because now she would be pregnant our of wed lock and would need to be stoned/killed. This was problematic for her. But the angel said it was from God and God would watch over her and work with Joseph to make sure it worked out.

Elizabeth sees that and says, “Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.” Happy here. Blessed other translations.

When we hold fast to the promises of God even in the face of ridicule and harm, we are blessed or happy. We all need to stand firm in our resolve to see the coming baby and coming Lord as the fulfillment of the kingdom and sharing of God’s love. Where everyone gets mercy.
Where the powerful are brought down.
Where the lowly are lifted up.
Where the hungry are filled.
Where all are cared for.
Where all are seen as God’s children.

We can usher in the kingdom by showing and being love.

Love like Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God.