Luke 1:39-45 Mary visits Elizabeth, and the first thing that happens is that the baby leaps for joy in Elizabeth's womb (did you ever wonder what that must have felt like?) and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately began speaking. Elizabeth's blessing of Mary does not appear to have been a rote recitation of a formulaic praise, but a spontaneous response to the circumstances. Would that I were able to give voice to the Holy Spirit's reaction to circumstances, to speak God''s words that are fit to the moment.

            Luke 1:46-55 Mary's Magnificat, as with Elizabeth's words, appears to be a spontaneous outburst, the Holy Spirit inspiring her to worship of God in words that are fit to the occasion. Although Mary goes far beyond the immediate circumstances. Progressing from worship of God for His blessings to her, she ventures into His care for the poor who are humble, and judgment of rulers and the wealthy who are proud in heart, finally calling into remembrance God's fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs concerning their descendants, Israel. It is perhaps unreasonable to expect Mary to have understood that Jesus would ultimately be The Lord and savior of all mankind, not just the ruler of Israel. After all, the angel had just promised her that He would rule on the throne of David, and she was rejoicing that the promised deliverer of Israel would finally come. As we consider the second coming of The Lord to rule and reign upon the earth, how are we to consider His blessing of those we think are outside the covenant? We read in the Apocalypse of His judgments upon the wicked, but what about His dealing with those who have neither chosen Him nor chosen evil? Does our eschatology rejoice that He will finally bring to Himself all those who are somehow outside who will come to Him if they truly understand that He offers not rules and judgment, but a spring of eternal living water flowing from ones' innermost being?