Have you ever imagined being privy to one of the world’s most secret or most important conversations? We’ve heard the expression “I wish I had been a fly on the wall,” which, of course, means an unseen or unnoticed presence in a situation. What conversation do you wish you could have heard? One of the many side conversations while the Constitution of the United States was being written? One of the war-planning meetings after Pearl Harbor? Hearing Martin Luther King Jr. discussing his “I Have a Dream” speech? Bill and Hillary Clinton’s conversation after Monica Lewinski became a household name? President Reagan and Gorbachev? One of the private conversations Jesus had with his disciples? It’s easy to let your imagination run wild as you think about those private conversations we will never know in detail.

            In our text we are allowed to listen in on one of the most unique and life-changing conversations that ever took place. We can say this now, looking back, but it’s unlikely the participants fully understood what a momentous and important event they (and their conversation) were a part of. What they did know that day was that their conversation was an occasion for great joy.

Miraculous joy

            To understand the events surrounding this conversation between Mary and Elizabeth we need to know of two miraculous pregnancies. Earlier in chapter 1, Luke introduces Zechariah, a priest, and his wife Elizabeth. They were both “righteous before God” and lived “blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.”¹

            The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the sanctuary of the Lord while he was offering incense. Gabriel told him that Elizab

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