As a newlywed, I embraced the notion of "first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage." However, despite having love and marriage, the baby carriage remained empty for eight long years. Much like Mary's cousin, Elizabeth, who, according to Luke 1:18, was "well along in years," I experienced a period of waiting for a child. Elizabeth, married to Zechariah, was described in Luke 1:6 as a couple who were "righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly."
In the narrative of Luke 1:5-25, we learn about Zechariah's visit from the angel of the Lord, while he was on duty as a priest at the temple. The angel announced Elizabeth's impending pregnancy, and due to Zechariah's skepticism, he was struck mute until the baby's birth.
Reflecting on Elizabeth's story, it's evident that the community's response to her pregnancy would have contrasted sharply with the judgment faced by Mary and Joseph. Elizabeth and Zechariah would have been embraced with joy and excitement, becoming the talk of the town, unlike the whispers that followed Mary and Joseph.
Consider your own reactions to joyful news and contrast them with how you respond to news of someone else's perceived wrongdoing. Drawing from personal experience, I recall a friend who faced judgment and abandonment from her community during a challenging time in her life. This contrasted sharply with the community support that surrounded Elizabeth and Zechariah after the birth of their son, John, as recounted in Luke 1:65.
The lesson I draw from this reflection is to curb my judgment. Whether someone is wrongfully accused or genuinely at fault, God is the ultimate judge, orchestrating a bigger picture that may not be immediately apparent. The miraculous pregnancies of Elizabeth and Mary stand as testaments to God's unexpected and awe-inspiring work beyond the expectations of the community.