Unexpected Path to Joy
Luke 1:39-56
December 17, 2023
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed."
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It would be an understatement to say that Mary's pregnancy disrupted her plans and expectations.
Her pregnancy disrupted her betrothal to Joseph. Her pregnancy made her undesirable to other potential husbands. We can only imagine the gossip surrounding her circumstances. The other women likely treated her differently than before. She was once highly respected, but now people spoke ill of her.
Mary found herself amid very unexpected circumstances, in a situation she did not choose or create.
Even though she knew and believed from her angelic visitation, that the child she carried would be called the Son of God, others did not. But she knew something that the others didn't.
Her cousin Elizabeth, upon seeing Mary, cries out, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
Upon hearing this support from her cousin, Mary proclaims the difficulties that she faces as nothing in comparison to what God is doing.
What Mary never expected resulted in her greatest joy, but also joy to the world.
