Advent week 3, Village 7
The first week of Advent, I presented some questions relating to Mary. Last week, the second week of Advent I traveled to a piece of Elizabeth’s story. This week, Mary and Elizabeth are together.
Gabriel has visited Mary and left her as Mary communicated to the angel her trust, “let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38.
The very next thing the scriptures record for us is Mary quickly going to visit her much older cousin, Elizabeth, who also is experiencing a miraculous pregnancy. “In those days Mary arose and went with haste …” Luke 1:39 (italics mine).
Elizabeth’s welcome tutors us.
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Elizabeth blesses Mary.
Elizabeth affirms Mary’s faith.
Elizabeth acknowledges and reminds Mary of the source of her blessing.
What can we also learn from Mary and Elizabeth at this point of their journeys? For you to think about …
1. Who are your people, the people you hasten to in the midst of your reality?
2. Who are the older women, possibly by age, maybe older in the faith who have walked ahead of you?
3. Who might God bring into your life this week that you can bless and affirm? Affirmations are more than compliments, they are acknowledging what God has created in the life of another.
Questions 1 and 2 remind me of a very significant piece (not involving pregnancy) of my journey. I’ll add an addendum in the comments later today.
Copyright: Sue Tell, December 2025
Isaiah 55 reminds me that the Word accomplishes what it promises.
It was Thanksgiving my senior year of college. Bill and I decide to pause of friendship to seek God’s will. A few months later during a quiet time, God spoke to me through Romans 15:5&6 … God smiled on our friendship. I RAN to share my excitement with my good friend Karen.
Similar to Mary, I received a message from God. Mary through an angel, me through the Word.
And like Mary, I went “with haste” to my friend Karen, one of my friends I looked up to spiritually. I still remember her response. For Mary, it was Elizabeth; for me it was Karen.
A few weeks later, Bill and I were engaged.
God fulfilled what He spoke to me through Romans.
I was thrilled this morning when I read Janet Newberry’s recent post. She was writing on Luke 1:45 – just like me.
But unlike me, she filled it more of the narrative. My desire was to keep my Advent posts brief. So our posts are cross-references to each other. I hope you’ll read Janet’s words as well. You will be glad you did.
https://open.substack.com/pub/janetnewberry/p/the-weary-world-rejoices/