Blessed are you among women

There is this heartwarming Christmas advertisement for Heathrow Airport, in which two animated senior bears arrive on board a plane and go through the paces of exiting the airport and meet what appears to be their grandchildren. The senior bears are tiny and insignificant in the enormity of the airport but they receive tender welcoming treatment. The climax is the warm greeting of the grands that only children are capable of.

To me the advertisement captures the sentiment of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. Tradition tells us that Mary was around 15years of age and she had to travel about 100 miles. The trip, about 1 week, was likely arduous and dangerous. Then, Elizabeth greeting in Luke 1:39-45 captures the warmth of the reception:

‘Blessed are you among woman, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.’ 

I believe the prayer of Elizabeth captures how this trip was possible- Mary was and is Blessed. As she herself said to Bernadette at the apparition at Lourdes - ‘I am the Immaculate Conception’. Mary is singularly blessed.

Mary’s singular blessedness not only enabled her to make that arduous journey but also to bring the presence of Christ to Elizabeth and her unborn child. Her visit reminds us that even the simplest act of going to meet someone in need can become a moment filled with divine grace.

Just as the tiny senior bears in the advertisement brought warmth and joy to their grandchildren despite their smallness in the grand scheme of the airport, Mary’s humble presence brought extraordinary joy and confirmation of God’s promises to Elizabeth.

This Advent, Mary invites us to follow her example—to step out in faith, to bring Christ’s love to others, and to trust in God’s guidance, even when the journey is uncertain or difficult. Like Mary, we too can become bearers of Christ to those we visit, allowing God’s grace to flow through our words, actions, and presence.

And Elizabeth shows us how to greet the infant Jesus—with awe, joy, and profound gratitude for the gift of His presence. As we stand on the threshold of Christmas Day, may our hearts leap with anticipation, ready to welcome Him with the same warmth and wonder that Elizabeth extended to Mary.

Let us prepare to receive the Christ Child with open arms and a heart full of love, recognizing that His coming transforms our lives and fills our homes with the light of His grace. Tomorrow, the world rejoices, for the Savior is born—let us be ready to greet Him with all the joy and tenderness He deserves.