Excerpted from the Women’s Sanctuary Devotional Bible NLT

In societies such as Israel’s, in which a woman’s value was measured largely by her ability to bear children, to be without children often led to personal hardship and public shame. For Elizabeth, a childless old age was a painful and lonely time, but still she remained faithful to God.

Both Elizabeth and Zechariah came from priestly families. For two weeks each year Zechariah had to go to the Temple in Jerusalem to attend to his priestly duties. After one of those trips Zechariah returned home excited but speechless. He had to write down his good news because he couldn’t give it any other way. And what a wonderful surprise he had for his wife: Their faded dream of a child would become an exciting reality! Soon Elizabeth became pregnant, and she knew her child was a long-hoped-for gift from God.

News traveled fast among the family. Seventy miles to the north, in Nazareth, Elizabeth’s relative Mary also miraculously became pregnant. Within days after the angel’s message that she would bear the Messiah, Mary went to visit Elizabeth. They were instantly bound together by the unique gifts God had given them. Elizabeth knew that Mary’s son would be even greater than her own, for John would be the messenger for Mary’s son.

When Elizabeth’s baby was born, she insisted on his God-given name: John. Zechariah’s written confirmation freed his tongue, and everyone in town wondered what would become of this obviously special child.

Elizabeth whispered her praise as she cared for God’s gift. Knowing about Mary must have made her marvel at God’s timing. Things had worked out even better than she could have planned. We, too, need to remember that God is in control of every situation. When did you last pause to recognize God’s timing in the events of your life?

Lessons from her life

• God does not forget those who have been faithful to him.

• God’s timetable and methods do not have to conform to our expectations.

Elizabeth’s story is told in Luke 1:5-80.

For more Advent devotions, visit Tyndale’s Online Advent Calendar here.