​Unexpected and mysterious is the gentle word of grace.
Everloving and sustaining is the peace of God’s embrace.
If we falter in our courage and we doubt what we have known,
God is faithful to console us as a mother tends her own.
 
In a momentary meeting of eternity and time,
Mary learned that she would carry both the mortal and divine.
Then she learned of God’s compassion, of Elizabeth’s great joy,
And she ran to greet the woman who would recognize her boy.
 
We are called to ponder myst’ry and await the coming Christ,
To embody God’s compassion for each fragile human life. 
God is with us in our longing to bring healing to the earth,
While we watch with joy and wonder for the promised Savior’s birth.
 
                                                                  Jeannette Lindholm, ELW 258

​“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 his descendants forever.”
                                                                                                   Luke 1:46-55