We all need encouragement, and it is so important to surround ourselves with people who will share our highs and our lows. In our scripture story today, we see how Elizabeth was that sort of person for Mary, her much younger cousin. As Mary received word from the Angel Gabriel that she would soon bear Jesus, the Messiah, God knew that she would need to connect with someone like Elizabeth who would encourage her that her baby was a gift from God for the entire world.