Luke 1:39-45; The theme of angels from Advent wk2 continues with the visitation of Gabriel to Mary in our Advent reading. Mary learns she is to conceive and will give birth to Messiah, which Jospeh already learned from an angel in a dream. Soon after, Mary packs up and heads south to visit relative Elizabeth, who is also unexpectedly with child. Unborn John the Baptist leaps for joy at the coming of Mary and the unborn Jesus Christ. This family interaction is exatly what Mary needs to encourage her in the difficult days yet to come.