Kissing Cousins
Elizabeth is excited
she is going to have a son.
She has waited many years
he’ll be her only one.
Today her cousin’s coming
she waits keenly by the door.
Mary has arrived
she’s traveled very far.
As soon as she sees Mary
her baby, John, will kick.
God’s truth is revealed
it emerges from her lips.
Blessed are you Mary
for the child you will bear.
Jesus is our Messiah
for his people he will care.
The cousins hug each other
God’s miracles are praised.
His plan for these sweet babies
will change the nation’s ways
Smiling, Mary gazes downward at her growing waistline when Elizabeth laughs for her unborn child’s leap acknowledges the Messiah her cousin has conceived.
Reflection:
Imagine the challenges Mary faces at such a young age! While her friends are playing games, completing errands, and giggling with friends she is concealing a pregnancy, is unmarried, and has to face her family and fiancé with the truth. Mary must be wondering how she will meet these challenges and what her future will hold? She has traveled a long distance to visit her cousin Elizabeth where she hopes to gain acceptance and support. Elizabeth has been barren for many years and like Mary she too is miraculously pregnant. Perhaps she can relate to her plight and offer guidance?
God knows how important this bond is for both women. They are living in situations that would surely ostracize them from their communities. They will likely face ridicule, disdain, rejection, and isolation. By bringing them together they can share their hopes, dreams, fears, and similarities. Friendship fulfills this role as a close bond with another builds
strength, confidence, joy, and love. Conversations spur thoughts that are unencumbered and breathe acceptance for one another. In 2020 our world faced COVID 19 and with it came the requirement of distancing and lack of physical contact. Communication was done largely through technology instead of an intimate setting. Facial expression was masked literally with the eyes alone being the door to the soul. This facet of relationships is desperately missed and has always been taken for granted. We realize how much we need and miss our relationships, shared conversations, hugs, and interaction.
When Mary arrives, she does not announce her pregnancy but Elizabeth’s unborn child leaps at the nearness of the Messiah. Have you ever had an expectant mother offer you the opportunity to feel her baby’s movement? What was that sensation like for you? Elizabeth’s son, John, will one day point the way for believers to repent and prepare for the arrival of the blessed Savior. These two babies will have lives that intertwine to fulfill God’s plan for salvation.
39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my LORD should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that the LORD would fulfill his promises to her!"
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