Christmas ViewpointSample

Mary and Elizabeth, Soul Sisters

'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 favored, 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. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

…Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.'

The poet John Donne (1572-1631) penned, 'No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.' In other words, we are not to travel this world alone. We are wired for community. Even the most introverted of us occasionally need companionship. Someone who understands us, with whom we can shed all pretence, who can be empathetic and sympathetic.

We can only imagine the isolated state in which Mary found herself. "No one will ever believe me" must have swirled around in her mind. Mary and Elizabeth had unbelievable pregnancy stories to share. Imagine the bond between these two women, the comfort and compassion they gave to each other.

God provides his guidance, sometimes through the life and words of another.

Viewpoint Reflection

Have you ever had a difficult situation that was eased by simply being able to talk to someone about it? There was no judgment, no shame—simple compassion and companionship. Reflect on what that felt like.

Is there someone God is leading you to, letting them know you are available to them as a sympathetic ear and share the ministry of presence?