Songs 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18 / Luke 1:39-45
Falling birth rates are a cause of concern to a nation and to a country.
It will have repercussions on the economy, the workforce, the aging population and other areas of society.
But the underlying concern is about hope - hope for the present, as well as hope for the future.
That is why a pregnancy and the birth of a child is not only good news and an occasion for celebration, it is also a celebration of hope.
In the gospel, we hear of two pregnant women in a joyful meeting in spite of the challenging circumstances.
Mary had her pregnancy confirmed by Elizabeth, and Elizabeth had this honour of being visited by the mother of her Lord.
Both expectant mothers are celebrating the gift of life as well as celebrating their hope in the Lord.
Both are celebrating their joyful hope for the present as well as for the future.
May Mary's and Elizabeth's joyful hope also be our joyful hope as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
Because Jesus came to give us hope, for the present as well as for the future.