Season of Advent

I keep thinking about how nervous Mary must have been. This teenage girl gets pregnant before she is married in a society where that is a big no-no. Mary is walking around, carrying this beautiful gift to the world, but is quite possibly shamed by this gift. Her first instinct is to go visit her relative Elizabeth, who has also been blessed with an “impossible” pregnancy. Maybe Mary is thinking Elizabeth might understand some of the emotions Mary is wrestling with.
 
When Mary arrives at the house, she is the first to extend a greeting. I find this odd-typically the host is the first to greet a visitor from my experience here. What must Mary be feeling, when the door is opened and she is greeted with silence? Let’s ignore Zechariah for the moment since he is mute at this point. What would be flashing through her mind when Elizabeth offers no greeting? Perhaps disappointment that Elizabeth too does not understand, fear for what might happen. But as soon as Mary speaks, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and celebrates Mary.
 
I wonder how she would be received by the world today if this happened. Women are still shamed all over the world if they become pregnant before marriage. Would Mary be greeted by silence? Would she be greeted with open arms? Would she have to say something before being welcomed and celebrated? We are sitting in that space of waiting-waiting for a greeting, waiting to give a greeting. It is an uncomfortable space, but important. That tension makes us consider how we would welcome the young girl and her unborn son.
 
-Kaitlyn