For generations, her people had looked for God’s anointed King to arrive. He would be of the lineage of Judah, a ruler like David who loved and obeyed God. But unlike David, this supernatural man’s rule would include the nations of the world.

“The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants,
until the coming of the one to whom it belongs,
the one whom all nations will obey.” Genesis 49:10

The place and the method of the Messiah was well known from the ancient Scriptures – born of a virgin in David’s city, Bethlehem.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2

But was it possible that after so many years, the prophecies would finally be reality?! There was certainly no doubt that this mighty being from another realm who had suddenly appeared was real, but who is ever prepared to receive an angel visitor?! His words were troubling, and she was awestruck and befuddled in his dazzling presence.

“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.”  Luke 1:26-29

Gabriel made a proclamation that would change the world. God had chosen this time, this place, this young woman to bring his Son into the world. He would live up to his name, “Yahweh saves.” And he would rule his people forever.

“. . . the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called (named) the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33

Mary’s response was pure and trusting when told she would be the mother of the Son of the Most High who would rule over an eternal kingdom. Her response was entirely different than Zachariah’s doubting, ‘How can I be sure?”. Instead, she responded, “How will this be? How will it come about? In what way will this happen?” (different ways to translate her words.). She was already assuming it would happen; she just wanted details about how God would do it. (Don’t all women want details?!) Perhaps she was wondering if this would happen after her impending marriage.

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:34

Gabriel was happy to answer her question. There was no rebuke as there had been for Zachariah’s doubting question. Gabriel’s simple explanation was that a man wasn’t necessary for this Baby to be conceived. God, himself, would handle it. So often, we assume God needs our help to bring about his will, but usually, he has his own methods.

“The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow (envelope with a cloud, cover) you. So the holy one to be born will be called (named) the Son of God.” Luke 1:35

The imagery of a cloud covering was familiar to Mary who knew about the cloud of God’s Presence that was over her ancestors in the desert on their journey to the Promised Land. The same God who provided guidance and protection for his people in the days of old would also provide guidance and protection for her as she carried the promised One. And thousands of years later, we, too, have God’s guidance and protection as his beloved children.

Then, the angel gave her a sweet news tidbit meant to encourage Mary on the difficult road ahead. He told her that her relative was also receiving a promised child against human possibility. Her elderly aunt, who had been unable to conceive all her life, was now six months pregnant by faith in the promise of God.

“Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:36-37

God knew Mary would need the encouragement of her godly older relative as she began to navigate the rough seas of being pregnant before her wedding. She would need the strength of another woman who trusted that God’s words never fail. We, too, need the strength of other believers close to us.

So it was that Mary immediately sought out her beloved relatives, priest Zachariah and faithful Elizabeth even though they lived 90 miles apart. We can assume that distance took about 5 days to walk, but Mary was determined to spend time with the other woman who was carrying a promised child. What a surprise and relief it must have been to be welcomed into their home with great enthusiasm!

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:41-44

Elizabeth knew! There would be no need for explaining, no awkward discovery, no secret doubts. God revealed to her that Mary was carrying God’s child. It was impossible for Elizabeth to physically see that Mary was pregnant because she was less than one month along. Certainly, Elizabeth couldn’t have known that God had promised Mary she would bear the Lord except that the Holy Spirit revealed it to her trusting heart. She was exuberantly delighted with Mary and her Child.

“Happy in God’s favor is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:45

We, too, are happy when we believe God’s promises to us! We’re happy when we believe that God has made a way back to himself through Jesus, the promised anointed One. We’re happy when we believe that Immanuel, God with us, is truly with us in our day-to-day lives. We’re happy when we believe that God gives us strength to do what he gives us to do. We’re happy when we consider the future he is leading us to – a perfect Promised Land where tears and pain are gone forever, and only happiness with him awaits.