Elizabeth and Zachariah were “doubles” in priestly lineage. It was a pure straight lineage. Children were considered a blessing and barrenness was seen as a curse. Their son John will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth (or before birth). John leaped in his mother’s womb when he heard the voice of Mary. Is this when John was filled with the Holy Spirit? Did the Holy Spirit bring this knowledge to Elizabeth of who Mary’s baby was? Elizabeth called Mary “the mother of my Lord”. So Elizabeth certainly knew that Mary was to give birth to the Messiah.

Contrast Zechariah’s response to Gabriel and Mary’s response. Zechariah wasn’t sure that it could be done. Mary was sure, she just wanted to know how.

The word “overshadow” means to envelop in a haze of brilliancy.

Mary was young and probably poor, yet God chose her for one of the most important acts of obedience he has ever asked of anyone. Her submission was part of God’s plan to bring about our salvation. A young, betrothed girl who became pregnant risked disaster. Mary with the story about being made pregnant by the Holy Spirit risked being considered crazy as well. Luke, being a medical doctor knew how babies were made but he, like many Christians had no problem believing that God has the power to create a child in a virgin’s womb.

As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary she immediately was filled with the Holy Spirit and knew these things: Mary was pregnant with the Son of God and she knew that Mary believed what God had said was true.

Mary praised God at this exclamation from Elizabeth. For Mary, this was a confirmation of what she already believed.

Mary and Joseph were pledged to be married. They were legally married but did not have the right for the marriage to be consummated. That was supposed to come later amid a joyous week long celebration.

We have in earlier writings on the blog placed the birth of Jesus at a time other than winter. In part because the shepherds were living in the fields, something they would not be doing in the winter. Shepherds were on just about the lowest rung of the social ladder.

Why did God choose to announce the arrival of his son to lowly shepherds? Who better than shepherds to be the first visitors to the “lamb of God”?

Jesus was circumcised at eight days as was every Jewish boy. A first born son was presented at the temple thirty three days after circumcision, which was the time of Mary’s purification. The sacrifice they offered meant they were either poor or middle class, or that they didn’t bring money with them to pay for a lamb.

Simeon and Anna were very old but they had never lost their hope of seeing the Messiah. Their prophecies, because of their ages, carried extra weight. Anna was called a prophetess, meaning she was unusually close to God. After all she never left the temple and worshiped night and day. Prophets did not necessarily predict the future, but to speak for God, proclaiming the truth.

These two "senior citizens", Simeon and Anna will be remembered for proclaiming the truth. Will all of us as Christians be remembered for proclaiming the truth?