Luke 1:39-45
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

It was probably an overwhelming situation for Mary. She had been visited by the angel with a message that she would bear the Son of God, such a weighty thing for her to do. It might have been a confusing situation, an uncertain one, or one that produced some fear. She’d have to tell Joseph and her family the news. She’d have to face her neighbors and her community as a woman pregnant before her marriage,  never mind the monumental reality that this baby came from heaven and would be the Savior of the world.

But while it was a situation with its share of difficulties, it was also a very joyous one. Mary was already pregnant when she went to visit Elisabeth, and the Holy Spirit was near to all of them that day, and they could rejoice in what God was doing. He was so obviously involved in everything that was happening, so even if it was daunting, there could be peace and joy and hope, because God gives those things to them, as well.

Mary faced something unimaginable, a unique experience that she alone had in the history of the world, but it was a blessing for her because it was of God and He was with her in it. It was a blessing for her to be with Elisabeth and share her joy for the son she would soon have after being barren for so many years. It was a blessing to obey God and trust in Him and to be part of His work in this world. There is even joy in unborn baby John that the world’s Savior had finally come.

For Mary and Elisabeth, there was joy in the midst of their situation because God was in the center of it all. He had orchestrated these events in their lives, and He would not fail them. Like Mary, maybe you’re facing something challenging or overwhelming. Maybe something God has called you to seems weighty and daunting. Maybe the future seems uncertain. But no matter what we may be dealing with, we can still rejoice in the good news of Christ, the presence of God among us, the work of God and His will coming to pass in our world. And God can bring His joy into the midst of whatever we may be facing through His Spirit who lives in us.