1:41 filled with the Holy Ghost. Elisabeth was the second to be filled with the Holy Spirit (see Luke 1:15). The babe in her womb, later to be known as John the Baptist, already filled with the Spirit, leaped for joy when he heard Mary’s voice (Luke 1:44). This proves beyond question that a babe in a woman’s womb is already a true human being, capable of emotional expression—joy in this case. Thus abortion is nothing less than taking a human life. As she was filled with the Spirit, Elisabeth also somehow knew that the fruit of Mary’s womb, not yet born, nevertheless was “[her] Lord” (Luke 1:43).

1:46 magnify the Lord. This beautiful hymn, or poem, of Mary’s is known as The Magnificat. Many of its thoughts are similar to those in Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving at the birth of Samuel (I Samuel 2:1-10). The latter prayer contains the first mention of Messiah in the Bible, as the very last words of Hannah’s song (“His anointed”—I Samuel 2:10).