The Visitation

After the divine announcement from Gabriel, Mary desires to confirm the news by visiting her relative Elizabeth. If Elizabeth was truly pregnant, Mary would have much more reason to believe the message. At Mary's greeting, Elizabeth blesses Mary as John leaps for joy in her womb. The theological significance of this event is the rejoicing of the Old Covenant over the arrival of the New Covenant, showing how Jesus is greater. The call of this passage is bound up in Elizabeth's final words - "Blessed is the one who hears and believes the news of Jesus Christ."