Mary’s eyes had widened as she listened to her cousin. That Elizabeth knew her secret news was somehow not a surprise. It confirmed within her that God was very much in control, very much the centre of everything that was happening to her. She could sense the heavens opening up around her, she too was being filled by the Holy Spirit. She could feel the words bubbling up from within her, words of celebration and hope, words of joy that overwhelmed all her fears. Her young body relaxed and embraced their life-altering reality. She accepted, she accepted everything God had for her, and the words of her heart spilled out – words that would be sung from generation to generation.
My soul magnifies the Lord, my very spirit rejoices in God who is my saviour!
For he has taken note of me, even me, his lowly servant.
And because of all this, generations of people in the future will actually call me Blesed – not one who is filled with shame.
For the mighty Lord of heaven is Holy and he has done extraordinary things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who are in awe of him.
The strength of his mighty arm is doing incredible things.
He has scattered the proud and those who are too full of themselves.
He has humbled princes on their majestic thrones, and lifted up the weak.
Those who are hungry and in need has provided for and has sent the rich and powerful away with nothing.
He has nurtured his servant Israel and has never held back from being merciful.
For this, all of this, is a fulfilling of the promise God has made to our forefathers, to Abraham and his children forever.
Gabriel wept tears of unutterable joy as he watched the two mothers-to-be cling to each other, a bemused Zechariah unsure what to make of it all. Wiping tears from each other’s eyes, they settled down for refreshment and rest; unaware that Mary’s song was being echoed into every corner of Heaven. Millions and millions of messengers were stilled from their heavenly duties as they listened to the heartsong of Heaven meeting Earth. They knew in their deepest hearts the truth of those words. Messengers are created to worship, to celebrate, to sing; to bring Glory to God and to sing His praises. Surrender and servanthood are ever their hearts desire. It was beyond their understanding how so many messengers of light had been fooled by the vain-glory of Lucifer. Their hearts ached for the absence of their cousins who had been removed from heaven. There was no way back, their choice to rebel had slammed the door behind them. There was only ‘forward’, looking to the fulfilment of the heartbeat and intent of Almighty God. Over the coming days each of the messengers would take some moments and watch the two women of the earth caring for each other and the lives that were emerging within. They would give thanks to God for his mercy and his plan to save all who would listen and all who would follow; and they would hum again, the words of Mary’s song.