22 DEC: 1 SAM 1:24-28; LK 1:46-56
Elizabeth, past the age of childbearing, is pregnant for the first time. Mary, betrothed but unmarried, is pregnant, period. As much as they are drawn to each other under such precarious conditions, neither expresses despair or fear, but exaltation.
Isn’t it significant that all the verbs in Mary’s canticle are in the past tense? Her child just conceived, she understands that God’s promises are already fulfilled.
Who of us does not need that trust and hope?