Reflection: Following Gabriel’s news, Mary rushed off to see her cousin Elizabeth, who by then was in the sixth month of her pregnancy. Perhaps she had only just come out of seclusion, or perhaps she was still in it. Mary’s arrival broke into the quietness of her confinement. Zechariah still could not speak, and she had removed herself from the prying eyes and wagging tongues of neighbours and then here was Mary. Mary was all in the rush from meeting Gabriel and hearing his message, and she entered the house and called out a greeting. The silence was broken; it shattered in joy. The baby jolted in her womb, the Holy Spirit broke into Elizabeth’s heart and Elizabeth realized the earth-shattering significance of it all. There are layers to the joy in this room, layers to the recognition experience by these women and a baby in utero to the truth of the Lord. There are layers to the thankfulness of his blessing.

The Lord broke into this world in the most surprising way. Does his intervention in history and his plan of rescue surprise you with joy?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are Lord and I am not. Your ways are not my ways, but they are infinitely good. Enable me to recognise your kingship over my life. Amen.