In all of the books of the New Testament only Luke and Matthew record any mention of the birth of Jesus. St. Mark, St. John, St. Paul, St. Peter and the other authors apparently felt no need to go back to this event.
It was important, however, in the minds of Luke and Matthew, to go back to the beginning, before the miracles, before the preaching, before the joy and the suffering. The story begins at a home, a home of friends and family:
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on the lowliness of His servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name. His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, according to the promise He made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to His descendants forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. (Luke 1:39-56)
I am often taken aback that these familiar and beautiful words spoken by Elizabeth and Mary are said in a home, a simple, most likely peasant home. Not in a cathedral or palace, nor in a castle or mansion worthy of a wealthy person, but a simple house. How often has this “magnificat” been sung and read in cathedrals, basilicas and churches throughout the world and down through the ages? How many artist have crafted statues, paintings, frescoes and stained glass in honor of Mary speaking these words: “My soul magnifies the Lord…”? These beautiful words were first spoken in a home.
The home of Zechariah and Elizabeth was a home that must have felt partially empty. Earlier in the story we are told that Elizabeth was barren, and for a Jewish couple of the time this was distressing and meant that they would have no descendants and no children to look after them in their old age. Children are a blessing from God and this couple were faithful to God, yet remained childless. Uncertainties about God’s will or questions of whether or not they had offended God (and thus, no children) may have entered their thoughts. The angel of the Lord says, “Your prayer has been heard,” so obviously they had put this matter before God in prayer. Couples today who find it difficult to conceive may also struggle with the “Why us?” questions that Zechariah and Elizabeth may have entertained. Seeking God’s will together in prayer may certainly be a unifying force and ease some of the pain that may accompany them. This reality did not shake the faith that Elizabeth and Zechariah had in God because they were both righteous before God, living blameless according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. Zechariah is in the midst of performing his priestly duties when the angel appears to him and announces that his prayer has been heard — he had not given up on God and God’s providence and timing. God had certainly not given up on them.
The joy and anticipation of a new child that was evidenced in Zechariah and Elizabeth's house was elevated by Mary’s presence. This was an eighty- to one-hundred-mile journey for Mary, taking three or four days to complete. What a gift it must have been to have Mary present in the house. What did the greeting of Mary sound like? Did she knock on the door and say “Peace”? Did she call out a name or perhaps, “Do not be afraid, it is I”? Whatever it was, Mary’s presence was an occasion for great joy. Imagine the excitement of Elizabeth, so much so that even the child “leaped in her womb.” When was the last time Mary had seen Elizabeth? Was Elizabeth glowing with joy? After six months was her pregnancy showing? I imagine them both sitting down and saying, “You are not going to believe what has happened to me since I saw you last!” They then begin to tell each other of the things God has done, both amazed at God's mercy and love. As a man, I find this event is a little difficult to imagine or to “enter into,” but as a father I recall those times during my wife’s pregnancy when our unborn child was making her presence known by leaps, elbows and kicks. I imagine the joy must have been similar for Joseph and Zechariah.
Mary’s first words in the house are, “My soul magnifies the Lord….” Her first thoughts are of God as she shares her good news and then begins to sing out her song of praise to God who has looked favorably on the lowliness of His servant. The praise of God resounds throughout the house in the presence of family. What a wonderful image of home, a home where family is welcomed, new life is respected and where God is honored.
As any couple who has experienced pregnancy can attest, this is not an isolated joy. Phone calls are made to parents who are now grandparents, to brothers and sisters who are now aunts and uncles and to cousins and friends and co-workers. The whole family is affected and shares in the joy of the couple. As Pope John Paul II said in an address to the General Assembly of the United Nations on October 2, 1979:
Concern for the child, even before birth, from the first moment of conception and then throughout the years of infancy and youth, is the primary and fundamental test of the relationship of one human being to another.
The news of Mary’s conception of Jesus includes you and me as well. For we are part of the family of God, we are redeemed by the saving work of Jesus on the Cross which began by Mary’s “Yes” to God. The scriptures reveal that after three months Mary returned to her home. Good news shared first in the house of a relative was then shared at her own home. What changes she would witness both inside the womb and outside. Mary was present from beginning to end, from the womb to the tomb and beyond. We can bring Mary’s example of joy and praise into our homes and honor her by honoring Jesus. We can make our homes a welcoming place where good news is shared. With the example of Mary going back home, we too, one day will “go home” to be with God Who loves us from the beginning and all way through our journey on earth.
Allan Wright received his M.A. in Theology in Scripture from Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University. He is an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University and at Assumption College for Sisters in Mendham, NJ. He is author of the book Silent Witnesses in the Gospels (St. Anthony Messenger Press). He can be reached at www.allanwright.org.
