Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! … Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. Luke 1:42, 45 ESV1
Read Luke 1:2-38
Those words were spoken to Mary by her relative, Elizabeth, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Mary had come to visit Elizabeth shortly after Mary became pregnant by the power of the same Holy Spirit. Mary had unquestionably accepted this strange happening with the words, “‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your [the angel, Gabriel’s] words’” (Luke 1:38). And Mary had excitedly agreed with Elizabeth’s announcement, saying, “‘From now on all generations will call me blessed’” (Luke 1:48). And Mary was blessed like no other woman on the face of this Earth has been blessed. But did Mary have any idea what that blessing would entail?