There is a seldom noticed yet preciously tender lesson to be found in Mary’s actions immediately following the angel’s visit announcing her role as mother of the Christ Child. She had been told that her cousin Elizabeth was also experiencing an unusual, though different, visitation of God’s grace -late in life, Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy with her first child (v. 36).
Notice how almost immediately after Mary discovered that she was about to become the most unique woman in history, she beautifully shifts the attention from herself to a need she can serve. Mary travels to help Elizabeth, and verse 56 says that Mary stayed with her aged relative and served until Elizabeth’s baby was delivered.
This could well become our most important Christmas lesson this year. Mary demonstrates a principle of God’s love in action. May we be more concerned with assisting the fulfillment of what the Lord is doing in others than with what He is doing in us.
