When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. // Luke 1:57-58
A dear friend of mine got married in her late thirties after nearly two prolonged decades of waiting and searching for a Catholic spouse. She was in her forties when she gave birth to her first-born son. There was so much rejoicing in God’s faithfulness at both her wedding and baby showers. Now my friend was probably quite a bit younger than Saint Elizabeth, who conceived John in her old age after years of barrenness, but the barren women of the Bible can be such beautiful companions during times of waiting in our lives.
As we come to the end of Advent, the Gospel today recounts the birth of Saint John the Baptist. His birth was not only both a mercy and joy to Saint Elizabeth, but it was also a cause of great celebration for her neighbors and relatives. Can you imagine the baby showers and meal trains those women might have planned for her? These hidden women of the Gospel were probably each carrying their own suffering; they may have been waiting for God to answer the prayers in the silence of their own hearts. I wonder if they received a renewal of hope as they rejoiced with Elizabeth? Or were some of them too overwhelmed and not quite ready to celebrate with her? The feminine heart is sensitive and complex—and we must hold space for those who grieve in the midst of joyful news.
In God’s perfect time, hopefully we will be able to see with clarity that when God blesses one of us, it can become a blessing to all of us.
We have a God Who wants to fill our hearts with joy. We have a God Who provides for us on His timeline. We have a God Who stretches our hearts in love during the times of waiting. We have a God Who fulfills His promises in the most surprising ways.
And isn’t this what Christmas is all about?
As we prepare to welcome the Baby Jesus into our hearts this Christmas, let us lean into the goodness, faithfulness, and generosity of our Heavenly Father. And as Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist at Christmas Mass, let every heart prepare Him room!
We have a God Who wants to fill our hearts with joy. // Rose Coleman Click to tweet
Rose Coleman is an elementary school teacher with a heart for pilgrimage. She traveled the globe on a ship during college and spent some years in the convent as a religious sister. She was a contributing author to All She Had, Blessed Conversations: Rooted, and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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