Getting Ready: Advent Reflections, Luke 1:39-44

‘At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”’

Luke 1:39-44


Luke continues the story, describing how, after hearing Gabriel’s news, Mary gets ready and hurries to the countryside. The opening words ‘At that time Mary got ready’ are significant for us since Advent is a season in which we too are getting ready for Jesus’ coming.

How does Mary get ready? In short, she proclaims the gospel: she visits her relative to share the good news that she will be the mother of the Son of God. This visit occurs in three parts: 1) Mary’s greeting, 2) Mary’s song and 3) Mary’s stay for about three months.

Today we look at Mary’s greeting. It’s remarkable. As soon as Mary greets Elizabeth, without Mary saying anything about it Elizabeth knows that Mary will be mother of their Lord. Even more, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.

What transforms this routine greeting into a holy encounter? I believe it is the power of the gospel. What a gospel Mary preaches! Unlike news we hear on the radio, usually about distant people and places, Mary’s news is personal, so personal that it resides within Mary herself. The news is Christ in Mary. When Mary greets Elizabeth, it is Christ in her who transforms the greeting into a blessing.

We too have good news to share: Christ in us. And Christ is not only the message, he is the true evangelist. As we witness to others, Christ illuminates them to understand and receive the good news. Our job is not to transform people’s hearts; that’s the Holy Spirit’s responsibility. Rather, our calling is to carry Christ in us and go to the people to whom he sends us.