Escape
Mary needed to get away.
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. - Luke 1:39-56
Mary was young, pregnant and not yet married when Joseph agreed not to leave her, so it was probably a smart thing to escape for a while.
She could visit her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant as well, and though the trip was most likely difficult for her, it must have been worthwhile.
Both women were going through something amazing, something no other person alive could comprehend, so it makes sense that they would want to be together to share their experiences and have some true company.
Mary's escape from the looks, stares and judgments she most likely faced back home brought her to a place where she could be herself. Elizabeth knew what she was going through, and for a young girl, that would have been a real comfort.
What she needed most was support, and what Elizabeth needed was someone to help her as her term came to an end.
We know Mary remained with her for the remainder of Elizabeth's term, so she may have been with her during the birth of John.
Then she would have to travel home.
We don't know what that return trip was like, or what she faced when she returned, but she was probably stronger and more able to deal with whatever she encountered after having been with her cousin.
Sometimes we need to get away, not so much to be alone, but to be with someone who can share the moment with us, to be a support and to need support from us as well, giving us a chance to give and receive.
Mary's escape made her strong, and she would need that strength for all that lay ahead.
More to come...