The Music of Christmas, Day 7

 Duet

Read Luke 1:29-45
“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment 

of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” – Elizabeth 

After Mary’s encounter with Gabriel, she left Bethlehem to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. While we do not know how Mary’s parents took the news of her “condition,” we know Joseph struggled to believe her. Who can blame him? Eventually Joseph became convinced by an angel of the Lord to believe Mary and go ahead with the betrothal. (Matthew 1:20) However, we do not know when this happened or how long Mary endured the fear of public exposure and humiliation. Her trip to visit Elizabeth may have been timed to spare her the disgrace of open ridicule by the community.

 
Have you ever experienced the complete isolation of disbelief? Imagine you are accused of something you didn’t do and suddenly found yourself the victim of a terrible rumor. No matter what was said and regardless of any proof offered, no one believed you. Not a single person, including those closest to you. That stings. It is devastating and lonely. That must have been how Mary felt. Who would believe such an outrageous story? Even those who knew her well — who knew her as a good and godly girl — would have a tough time believing.

Now, imagine one person saying, “I believe you.” Like a spring in the desert. You are not alone. When Mary arrived in the hill country of Judea, she had no way of knowing how her cousin, Elizabeth, and her husband, Zechariah, would receive her. It was a risky move. Zechariah was a priest. Religious people can sometimes be the worst when it comes to guilt and shame. Can you visualize Mary holding her breath as she approached the house? Then imagine the total relief and joy that came over her when Elizabeth greeted her with these words: “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?” (Luke 1:42-43) “Elizabeth believes me!” she must have thought. “Without explanation or argument, she believes me.” 

 

The reaction of her parents is not recorded, and the timing of Joseph’s angelic visit is not specified. And though we don’t know if Elizabeth was the first person to believe Mary, it is plausible. If so, it is interesting that two women were the first to accept the news of the Incarnation. The same is true of the Resurrection. Women were the first to believe.

The song of hope often begins as a solo, but it always ends in a chorus. Hope only requires one voice to start singing, but as that voice penetrates the silence of fear and hopelessness, another voice will join the song. The confidence of both singers increases as they harmonize the lyrics of hope, and before you know it, other voices are joining in until there is a mighty chorus.

Perhaps you're singing the song of hope as a solo right now. Maybe, like Mary, you are surrounded by people who doubt, maybe even despise, you and your song of hope. Perhaps you’ve been tempted to stop singing. Maybe you’ve thought of retreating into the silence of disbelief and despair. Do not give up! Keep singing! If you are singing God’s song of hope, it’s only a matter of time until your Elizabeth will hear you and turn the solo into a duet. 

 

Or perhaps you’ve been standing quietly by listening to someone else singing a solo of hope. Pray for God to reveal His truth and hope to you and be prepared to join that soloist to magnify God’s song of hope. You may be that person’s Elizabeth. The power of hope is multiplied by the addition of each voice who joins the chorus.

 

 

Holy Spirit,

Tune my heart to Your song of hope that it may resonate with all those who have already joined the chorus of the faithful. I pray for the strength and determination to keep singing, even when I am tempted to believe that I am singing alone. Give me the faith to sing Your song of hope until all the world resounds with the sound of Your praise.
Amen.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.