Luke 1:39-41 (NIVUK)
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
As we finish this week’s reflections on the story of Mary and Elizabeth, I should state the obvious, they’re both women. The Bible and the church is often accused of being patriarchal, promoting men, and demeaning or abusive towards women (and let’s be honest, the Bible’s stories reflect times when this was very much the culture of the time, and the church has often got it very wrong), but the culture of the times of the Bible’s writing, and the mistakes and sins of the church shouldn’t be confused with God and God’s outlook and nature. At this critical moment in history, the sending of his son, it is two strong women who are at the forefront of his choices and action. And who is with Jesus at his death on the cross, the women. And who is it that he appears to first? Yes, you’ve guessed it… It seems to me that God is trying to make a point and cut through the bias and blindness…
Thank you for the Christmas story, that in so many ways cuts through our prejudices and assumptions, and says that everyone counts and is to be respected and loved. Forgive us for our failings, and help us learn this better way.
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