This post is Day 9 in a series of studies about “Surprises”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Surprises – Day 9

It was Gabriel who was the bringer of this good news, which was a surprise for everyone who heard it. While telling Mary that she had been chosen to carry the earthly Son of God, Gabriel informed her of the situation with Elizabeth. What a day of surprises that was!

Luke 1:36

Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.

The Thought

It was the angel Gabriel who was the bringer of this good news, which was a surprise for everyone who heard it. While telling Mary that she had been chosen to carry God’s earthly Son, Gabriel also informed her of Elizabeth’s situation. What a day of surprises that was!

We don’t know how long Mary waited after this angelic visitation before going to visit her pregnant relative. But there were more surprises at that meeting.

News didn’t travel very fast in those days, neither did people. So Mary, once she had decided to go to visit Elizabeth, had plenty of time on the journey to reflect on her own situation, as well as that of Elizabeth.

Preachers often refer to Elizabeth and Mary as cousins, using the older more traditional translations of the gospels. More modern translations do not make that clear, all that they tell us is that Mary and Elizabeth were related. However close their relationship, they were obviously good friends, and despite their difference in age, were very happy to see each other, and Mary stayed with Zachariah and Elizabeth for three months, until John was born.

Action

Think today about anyone you know or have known who has had an unexpected pregnancy. Maybe you have had one, or are the product of one yourself!!

Ask yourself if you believe that every child is known by God from the moment of conception. Remember that one of God’s names in the Old Testament was “The God who sees” (Genesis 16:13).

Read the story of Hagar today in Genesis 16:1-14 and reflect on your life, knowing that God has seen all of it.

Pray for any in your area who are struggling with un-planned pregnancy.

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