Luke 1 Pre-Birth Announcement
“It’s Time!” says the Father. Gabriel is sent out to do a pre-birth announcement to the mother God has selected for His Son.
Mary is the woman God chooses to bring His Son into the world. I wonder what it was in her character that caused Him to choose her. Maybe it also had to do with the character of the man she was already promised to in marriage. Yes. She was already promised to Joseph. No. He was not a man who had pity on the woman God had chosen. God chose a family for His Son to be born into.
This is the second, “and how exactly is that supposed to happen” birth announcement is six months. Zechariah asked that question because his wife, Elizabeth was ‘too old’ to have children; a question filled with doubt. Mary asks it because she has never ‘been with a man’, a prerequisite for conception; a question formed out of procedural problems. God dealt with both questions but one carried a ‘cost’ for unbelief. It would also open the opportunity for another miracle.
Let’s join Mary as God makes the impossible, possible for HIS purposes. Holy Spirit lead this journey. Take me where You would have me go in Your story. Bring to light the hidden wonders and help me find jewels to take for my own life.
♥ ♦ ♥
The Father looks at the Son. There is joy and pain in His expression. “Son, it’s time. Are You ready?”
“Yes Father. I’m looking forward to most of it. I want to touch their lives like never before.”
“Gabriel”, calls the Father.
Gabriel quickly enters the throne room. “Here I am Lord.”
“Gabriel I need you to take another message down to Earth. This time you are to visit a young woman named Mary. She lives in the region of Galilee in the town called Nazareth.”
“What message do you want me to bring to her my Lord?”
“First and foremost, I want you to tell her that she is very precious and has found favor with me. She will be given the greatest honor a woman could ever receive. She will become the mother of My Son. Share with her the importance of this calling. Inform her of His Godly heritage and His future position as King. Be sure to tell her that she is to name Him Jesus also. This is the name that I have chosen for Him.
“She will certainly have questions Lord. What am I to tell her?”
“When she questions the mechanics of the process, inform her that the Holy Spirit will be the intermediary for this process and that My power will perform this miracle within her. I will be the Child’s Father.”
“What if she doubts what I have to tell her?”
“Then share with her the news of Elizabeth and Zechariah. This news will bring her great joy and peace.”
Gabriel leaves the throne room and goes immediately to the home of Mary. She is in her favorite spot in the garden. She loves the smell of the earth and the growing plants around her. This is her quiet spot to pray as well. Here is where she feels closest to God.
When Gabriel arrives he stands just a few feet away from Mary. Mary has not noticed him yet. He begins to speak. “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28).
Two thoughts fight for dominance in Mary’s mind; “who is this” and “what is he trying to say to me?” Gabriel recognizes the look of fear in her eyes and the confusion on her face. He sees that just about every time he brings a message from God.
“Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
At this instant Mary realizes that God KNOWS HER BY NAME!
Gabriel continues speaking and lays out God’s plan for her life. “You are going to have a child and you are going to call his name Jesus. He is going to be called the Son of the Most High. God himself will give Him the throne of His father David, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever. Unlike any king before Him, His Kingdom will never end.”
Mary listens quietly to everything Gabriel has to say, but she is confused by the first part of his message; the part about becoming pregnant. Mary sees this visit as an indication that what she is hearing will happen RIGHT NOW, not after she is married. But right now she is a virgin and will remain one until her wedding night. “How is this going to work since I am a virgin” Mary asks Gabriel.
This is the question God knew she would ask. He already supplied Gabriel with the answer. Gabriel smiles as he shares with her what God has shared with him. “God Himself, through His Holy Spirit will perform this miracle within you. His Spirit will cover you and His power will place His own seed directly into your womb. This child will truly be the Son of God.”
Talk about the “WOW” factor! Mary is quietly thinking this over. Nothing like this has ever happened before. In an instant, Mary remembers the teachings from the writings of Isaiah. “Behold! A virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son, and she shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Mary’s eyes go wide and she considers the implications of this. “Could this be the prophecy Israel has waited so long for? But ME? Oh my!”
Gabriel sees Mary thinking things through, so he offers her the proof of God’s power the Lord had instructed him to do. “Mary, your cousin Elizabeth is pregnant also. She is going to have a son too. She is in her sixth month now. God even opened her womb in her old age. There is nothing impossible with God.”
That did it for Mary. She is fully convinced that this is exactly what she is meant to do with her life. She’s not even going to worry about all the other ways this pregnancy will affect the rest of her life. She is ready to submit to God’s will completely. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Gabriel bows to Mary and disappears. Immediately after his departure, the Holy Spirit comes and covers Mary and the hand of God places His Son within her womb. Mary experiences an immediate change in her inner most being. She is filled with joy and peace. She knows that she needs to share this experience with the only other person she knows who has seen the direct hand of God too; her cousin Elizabeth.
Mary quickly leaves the garden to begin preparations to travel to the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah. She goes to her room and begins packing for a journey. She has decided to spend at least the next three months with Elizabeth. She wants to be able to care for her until she delivers and help her with the baby afterwards. Mary decides that she will bring all her clothing with her, including her wedding dress that she is working on. She still needs to complete it before her own wedding.
Mary packs her two dresses and undergarments. Then she picks up her basket containing the pieces of her wedding dress and prepares to pack them, but then she hesitates. “Wait. What will happen when Joseph finds out I’m pregnant? Will he still marry me?”
Mary then remembers the greeting from the angel; “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28). She hangs onto these words. She knows with all her heart that since the Lord is with her, He will provide even for her marriage. She quickly tucks her wedding basket into her belongings.
As soon as she finishes packing her personal items, she goes into the kitchen to prepare food for the journey. As she is packing these items she is thinking of how she will travel to Elizabeth’s home. The journey is about 100 miles and it NOT safe for a woman to travel alone. Mary decides she will ask her cousin who is a spice dealer. He has caravans coming from the area near where Zechariah and Elizabeth live. Maybe she could travel with one of them. Mary decides to take a small portion of her dowry to pay for her passage.
Once her packing is complete, Mary hurries to her cousin’s shop. Her cousin Samuel greets her warmly. “Good afternoon Mary. What can I do for you today? Perhaps you would like to purchase some spices for your wedding trunk?”
“I would like to purchase some spices from you, but right now I have another request I would like to make of you. I am in need of your assistance in arranging travel to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth as soon as possible. I am wondering if you have a caravan going that way in the near future, and if I could purchase passage with them.”
“I actually have a caravan heading that way first thing tomorrow morning. I will speak to the caravan leader to see if he has room for you. Will Joseph be accompanying you?”
“No, I will be making this journey alone.”
“Is there a problem between you and Joseph? Are Elizabeth and Zechariah alright?”
“Joseph and I are fine. He is busy with preparations and I don’t want to take him away from that. I just learned that Elizabeth is expecting a baby and I want to go to her to offer my help.”
“Elizabeth?! Really? That’s exciting news. As my gift to her I will pay your passage with the caravan.”
“Oh Samuel, you are so kind. Thank you for your gracious gift. I will be sure to share with Elizabeth the news of your generous gift. What time should I arrive tomorrow?”
“Be here by dawn. The leader likes to start off as soon as day breaks. He will need to load your belongings before heading out.”
“I’ll see you in the morning. Thank you again for your generosity.”
Mary then goes to the home of Joseph. She is not ready to tell him about her pregnancy yet but she does need to let him know that she will be traveling to Elizabeth’s home and about how long she will be with her. Truth of the matter is, she doesn’t know how to tell him about the visit from the angel and all that it brought. She is hoping that Elizabeth can help her figure that part out.
Upon reaching Joseph’s home Mary greets Joseph’s mother, Abigail, in the garden where she is hanging the day’s wash. “Greetings mother. May I assist you in your task?”
“Why thank you Mary. That would be most appreciated. So what brings you to our home on such a fine day?”
“I need to speak to Joseph today. It is a matter of some urgency. Do you know when he will be home? Also would you serve as our chaperone during our visit?”
“Is something the matter?”
“No. I have just received word that my cousin is expecting her first child and I am planning to got to her and help her in any way I can. She is very advanced in age and could probably use a young pair of hands to lift some of the work from her shoulders so she can conserve her strength.”
“That is very generous of you Mary. I would be more than willing to offer my services as chaperone. I expect Joseph home at any time. You are welcome to wait with me if you like.”
“Thank you mother. I would like to do that. May I help you with your duties while we wait?”
“Always generous to a fault. I believe I will accept that offer.”
The women complete the wash and begin preparing the family’s dinner before Joseph finally arrives home. Joseph enters and sees Mary working in the kitchen with his mother and a smile spreads across his face. Mary feels his eyes on her and looks up at him. She too smiles as their eyes meet.
Abigail greets Joseph. “Welcome home son. Mary has something she wants to discuss with you. We will be finished here in just a few minutes. Then you two can sit on the porch and talk.”
Mary and Abigail quickly finish the last of their work, wash their hands and comb the stray pieces of their hair back into place.
Mary and Abigail step out onto the porch. Abigail withdraws to a corner of the porch while Mary and Joseph take two seats facing one another.
“Joseph, I know this is sudden, but I just learned that my cousin Elizabeth is pregnant. I need to go and be with her during the remaining portion of her pregnancy. She is quite old and I’m sure she is in need of much assistance during this time. She is already six months along, so I would be gone for three or four months.”
“I remember you mentioning Elizabeth and Zechariah. I thought they couldn’t have children?”
“It is a miracle Joseph and I want to share in it with her.”
“How will you get there? Do you need me to take you?”
“I have asked my cousin Samuel for permission to travel with one of his caravans. He has one leaving for the region of Elizabeth’s home tomorrow morning. He has told me that I am welcome to join it. He has even agreed to pay my passage as a gift to Elizabeth.”
“It sounds like you have everything worked out. I know how generous you are Mary and what a big heart you have. Are you sure you need to do this? Have you asked God about this journey?”
“Yes Joseph I have. I feel His hand directing me quite strongly.”
“Who am I to stand in the way of God? I will miss you while you are gone. Please send me word when the baby is born and when you will be home. I’ll continue working on our home. I hope to fill it with babies of our own.”
“Me too Joseph. I’m taking my wedding dress with me to work on in my spare time.”
After a quick touch of the hand Mary leaves for home. Joseph walks her to the gate.
Mary has a hard time sleeping because of the excitement building inside her. “I haven’t seen Elizabeth in some time. I wonder how she is doing. What kind of help will I be able to offer her? How will I tell her about my own miracle?” Mary decides to pray about her trip again. God’s peace settles on her and sleep finally finds her.
Mary’s travels with the caravan are remarkably uneventful. For this she is very grateful, to the caravan leader and to God. They arrive in Ein Karem after traveling for a week. Mary is overjoyed that the journey is over. Now it’s time to face Elizabeth.
Butterflies inhabit Mary’s stomach as she walks the last leg of her journey. She can see Elizabeth’s house from here. “No turning back now. Adonai, please give me strength and peace. Let me be a blessing to Elizabeth.” As Mary enters Zechariah and Elizabeth’s garden she calls out to Elizabeth. “Greetings cousin! I hear you have good news.”
Elizabeth lets out a squeal of joy and holds her hand on her stomach. She quickly walks to Mary and embraces her. Elizabeth’s eyes are shining and her face nearly glows. Mary recognizes the same Spirit of God emanating from Elizabeth that she herself encountered only a week ago. Elizabeth removes all Mary’s uncertainties about how to tell her what has happened when Elizabeth looks deep into Mary’s eyes. In a loud and clear voice Elizabeth says, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Luke 1:42-44).
Tears fill Mary’s eyes. She is indeed blessed. She didn’t need to worry. God has taken care of everything. From the caravan, to Joseph, to even Elizabeth. She knows that He will continue caring for her, as long as she lives.
Mary and Elizabeth embrace in a fierce hug. When they separate, both their eyes are filled with tears. Mary puts her hands over her heart and she begins to sing. This song rises within her and cannot be held back.
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever” (Luke 1:46-55).
Elizabeth recognizes Mary’s song as, not just an outpouring of thanks giving to the Lord, but a prophecy of what is to come. She stands spellbound while Mary sings to the Lord.
When Mary’s song ends, the two women embrace again. When they finally break their embrace, Mary says; “I could go on doing this forever, but I’m sure there is work to be done. And I want to help you with it.”
“You are my guest. I wouldn’t dream of letting you work.”
Mary takes Elizabeth’s hands in hers. “Dear Elizabeth, that is EXACTLY why I came. I came to help you until the baby comes.”
“How did you know I was pregnant?”
Mary smiles. “The same way I knew I would carry our Lord in my womb. The angel Gabriel told me.”
“Well then, he must have had a reason for telling you, and for allowing you to come on this journey. I will gladly accept the help that our Lord has sent me.”
Mary and Elizabeth work side by side for the rest of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Zechariah is thrilled to have Mary’s help. He worries about Elizabeth; being pregnant at such an age. Mary’s help eases that burden.
“It’s time!” Elizabeth calls to Zechariah in the middle of the night.
Zechariah’s eyes open slowly until he hears Elizabeth repeat herself. His eyes snap open and he jumps from the bed. He starts running around, not truly certain what to do.
Elizabeth chuckles and tells him to go and get Mary. As he starts to dash for the door she calls out; “WAIT! You should throw on a robe first.”
Zechariah looks down at himself. He is in his undergarments. He nods quickly and throws on his robe. He rushes from the room and knocks on Mary’s door.
Mary is a light sleeper and she wakes up quickly. She knows Elizabeth’s time is near and she is expecting to be called at any moment to attend her. She throws on her robe and quickly opens the door to Zechariah.
Zechariah points back towards his and Elizabeth’s room. His eyes express the urgency of his request.
“Is it time” Mary asks.
Zechariah nods his head vigorously and the two hurry to Elizabeth’s side.
Elizabeth is pacing the room. She stops and leans on the wall each time a pain seizes her. She looks up as the two people she loves most in the world enter.
“Someone needs to get the midwife” she says.
Zechariah and Mary look at one another. “I will go” Mary volunteers. “You stay and keep her company” Mary says to Zechariah. They both know that he would not be able to tell the midwife of Elizabeth’s need if he went.
Mary hurries off and soon returns with the midwife. Zechariah is shooed out of the room. Mary and the midwife prepare the birthing area, including placing the birthing stool. Mary helps Elizabeth onto the stool and the midwife examines her to see her progress.
“Tonight, you will finally be a mother” she announces with a smile.
Elizabeth leans back against Mary. Elizabeth bends her elbow and reaches for Mary’s hand. The two clasp hands and smile. This is the day Elizabeth has been waiting all her adult life for. One she believed would never come.
Elizabeth labors for six hours. Mary is attentive every minute of it.
“One last push and your child will join the world” the midwife encourages.
With the final push, the midwife exclaims exactly what Elizabeth already knows. “You have a son!”
Mary hugs Elizabeth from behind. The midwife cuts the cord, wraps the baby and hands him to Mary. Mary holds the child as Elizabeth expels the birth remains. As the midwife cleans Elizabeth, Mary cleans the baby beside them. The midwife makes certain that the child is breathing normally and has good color while Mary tends to him.
“He is a strong healthy boy” the midwife comments.
Elizabeth and Mary smile at one another. They already knew he would be.
Zechariah is finally allowed in the room with ima and son. As Mary stands nearby watching, she is caressing her stomach. The midwife’s eyes narrow. She knows this action well.
“Mary is pregnant” she tells herself. Shame for the girl colors her face. She knows that Mary is not yet married. This isn’t the first time she has encountered this problem, but she was convinced that Mary was a virtuous woman. And she had heard Mary speak of Joseph, her husband to be, when she visited Elizabeth for her checkups.
“I have to let Joseph know” she tells herself. But this must be done carefully, so as not to destroy the girl.
(to be continued)
When reading the story of John’s circumcision, we don’t see Mary in attendance. I’m setting the stage for her to be brought home. She would have stood with Elizabeth on the name of her son, if she had been there. But I’m getting ahead of our story.
God gave these two women time to build the bond that their sons would maintain in life. They knew one another before birth and would continue their closeness until death; and beyond. John and Jesus’ relationship didn’t end with John’s death and neither does ours. Those who love the Lord will be together for all eternity. But, again, I’m getting ahead of myself.
Father God, thank You for sharing Your story with me. Thank You for helping me find it again from when You shared it before. Thank You for bringing Your stories to life in my mind and for letting me share them.
This is one of the GREATEST stories of all times. But it is only the beginning of the stories of Your son. SO MUCH MORE is still to come! And that goes for our relationship too! I look forward to being with You FOREVER.
