Advent 4: Mary and Elizabeth

This year throughout Advent at AFC we've been looking at some paintings and today's shows us that wonderful moment when two cousins meet and share that special joy that both of them are to become mothers.

Mary and Elizabeth play a central role in our Christmases year by year.  Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist and Mary, of course, becomes the Mother of Jesus.  As Erna has written in our Art in Advent leaflet: At the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth and in the intimate sharing of their good news, the public scorn of barren-ness and the unexpected pregnancy outside wedlock fade away and joy becomes the dominant emotion'.

Well today's painting is one of my favourites in our Advent sequence - it's just an exuberant celebration of joy and friendship and expresses so much love and hope.  And surely that's what all the nativity plays and carol services this weekend are all about for we are celebrating a God of love who gives us so much hope.

The witness of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus of Bethlehem has changed the course of human history yet it all started with the obedience and faithfulness of two, well we might even call them, insignificant women.

Perhaps we should never under estimate the way God can use 'ordinary' yet committed people, the likes of Mary and Elizabeth, to bring about his loving purposes.

Reminds me a little of that lovely phrase from the pen of the American social commentator Margaret Mead who once wrote: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

I love that - and I love the part played in the outworking of Christmas by these two cousins in today's painting.

Best wishes,

Ian