When the angel, Gabriel, visits Mary, he shares two pieces of news — Mary, a virgin, will conceive and bear a son, whom she will call Jesus; and her cousin, Elizabeth, with her husband Zechariah, has also conceived a son in her old age and is now in the sixth month of her pregnancy. (Luke 1: 26-38)

The Gospel of Luke recounts that Mary leaves to visit Elizabeth as soon as Gabriel departs. When Mary enters the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth, here is what happens:

“And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the child leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!'” Luke 1: 41-42

Elizabeth, of course, is carrying John the Baptist in her womb. The presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb causes John to leap for joy. John is the one about whom it is written in the Old Testament:

“Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.” (Malachi 3: 1, Isaiah 57: 14)

In these verses, we witness the world preparing to receive a Love like no other — Jesus, the Son of God.

In response to Elizabeth’s greeting, Mary utters these words, acknowledging and delighting in the miracle of her virgin conception of Jesus:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him 
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.” (Luke 1: 46-55)

This beautiful prayer is known as The Magnificat Prayer, or the Song of Mary.

As Christmas approaches and the world again prepares to celebrate the birth of Jesus, may this prayer of joy and thanksgiving remain on our lips and hearts.

A Love, like no other, is about to enter the world. ♥️

Love, the Lord Jesus, is on the way. ♥️