What a gift God gave Mary in her cousin, Elizabeth. Not only was Elizabeth further along in a miraculous pregnancy, but God spoke through her to confirm all that was foretold to Mary through His messenger, an angel.
Elizabeth said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1: 42-45)
Both women likely struggled with people’s judgment about their pregnancies: Elizabeth for her advanced age and Mary for her marital status. But He didn’t leave them to endure this season alone. As the God who provides, He gave them three months together to encourage and support each other. He knows our need for community with other believers and graciously provided that for Mary and Elizabeth.