128 Mary greets Elizabeth Luke 1
Ian Paul
32.44
16 December 2024
12 November 2025
The lectionary gospel reading for Advent 4 in Year C is Luke 1.39-45, with the option of reading on to Luke 1.46-55. Do please take the option of reading the Magnificat; reading the first half without the second would be like going to a Michelin-starred restaurant for dinner and leaving after the starter!
Mary't encounter with Elizabeth is fascinating, and reflects many of the themes of this gospel—greetings, the filling of the Holy Spirit, joy, and the importance of Scripture. And when read alongside the story of Zechariah, offers further insights.
Come and join Ian and James as they explore these questions! (There is a recording glitch at 28 minutes which I have not been able to resolve, but will repost when I have done so. The video goes out of sync with the audio, though the audio continues without a problem.)
Revd James Blandford-Baker is vicar of Histon and Impington, two villages just north of Cambridge. Revd Dr Ian Paul is Associate Minister of St Nic's, Nottingham, and writes the widely-read blog www.psephizo.com.
Full written commentary behind the discussion can be found on the blog.