The response of the child in Elizabeth’s womb is reminiscent of the joy that filled David as he leaped before the ark of the covenant. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed her faith in the child that Mary was carrying. In both cases, it was the realisation of being in the presence of God that caused them to rejoice. It is as if Mary is the ark and the child within her is the glory of God. There is a sequence of recognition that begins and ends with Mary. At the sound of Mary’s greeting the child in Elizabeth leaped for joy, signalling to her the presence of her Lord in Mary’s womb; at this, Elizabeth recognises the blessedness of Mary’s unborn child and, through him, the blessedness of Mary.