Elizabeth is surprised that the child within her leaps for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice. Elizabeth’s greeting in return surprises Mary. Elizabeth, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” confirms Gabriel’s message to Mary, who surprisingly breaks out in song.
Mary’s singing may not surprise those of us who read Luke 1 and 2 every year at Christmas. Once we reach the part where Elizabeth greets Mary, our minds may race forward to Mary’s singing about the greatness of God. Seriously, when did you last open the door to your house, greet someone, and have that person start singing? But it seems like everyone starts singing at Christmastime. Luke tells the Christmas story in such a way that we think singing has always been a part of Christmas.
The beginning of Luke’s Gospel reads like a musical. Visits are suddenly interrupted by someone breaking into song: Zechariah at the naming of John, the angels telling the shepherds about the birth of Jesus, Simeon in the Temple at Jesus’ dedication, and Mary when she visits Elizabeth.
Mary sings about being caught up in God’s visitation of Israel, a visitation that alters the status of the poor and the proud, the hungry and the rich. She does not sing of future promises but of promises fulfilled. God’s redeeming work is already active. And God’s visitation is more than a blessing for Mary’s life; it is a blessing that extends far beyond her.
When God surprises us with a visitation, it not only blesses our lives but the lives of others by God’s work through us. So join voices with Zechariah, Simeon, the angels, and Mary. Rejoice in God’s surprising work in and through you.