I love reading Luke's account of the Christmas Story. His is by far the most complete and contains the little details that make the story of Jesus' Birth come alive. One belief is that Luke got the story from the only one still alive to tell it from a first hand point of view: Mary, the mother of Jesus. As I researched this question myself I too feel that this is Mary's account. There are so many details that could have only been remembered by someone who was there. Also the facts presented seem to come from a particularly feminine perspective ( "the babe leaped" in Elizabeth's womb, the details of the journey from Nazareth describing Mary being "great with child", the facts about how the baby was wrapped, where he was laid). Most telling of all to me is Luke 2:19 "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.". How would Luke have known Mary's thoughts like this unless she told him?
The account of the first angel visit to Zacharias foretelling the birth of John could have been gotten from Mary as well since she was there three months with her cousin Elizabeth before John was born. I'm sure after the first joyful meeting of these two women, the stories flowed from each of them in wondrous awe at what God was doing in their lives. There was no one else that Elizabeth could share her story with. And Mary had the same problem. Who do you tell that God has placed a baby in your womb in a miraculous manner? Certainly only Elizabeth would have completely understood Mary's joys, questions and fears. The fact that the baby leaped in her womb at Mary's approach told her all she needed to know of the authenticity of Mary's story. The fact that Mary already knew about the baby Elizabeth was carrying from the very angel that had foretold John's birth to his father would have been a blessing to the older woman.
I love imagining these two women, each uniquely blessed by God, chattering away as they set about the little chores that were necessary in preparation for the birth of their special babies. The two voices, one trembling a bit with age, the other hesitant with youth blending as they discussed what might be in store for them soon at the birth of their first child. Did Elizabeth share what a lifetime of observance at other births had taught her? Did Mary share what few wives tales she had heard from girls her own age? Did they discuss their son's and what their lives might be like and what burdens they would carry? Most women do discuss these things as they prepare for the birth of their child, what to expect at birth, what hopes and dreams they have for their children. I doubt things have changed that much. One thing they didn't need was to guess or wonder at was the sex of their babies. In that pre-ultrasound time, they were surely unique in knowing the gender of their children beyond doubt!
These two women, one young and one old, are at the very beginning of the Christmas story, heralded by the glad tidings brought by an angel from the very throne of God! What exciting memories Mary must have had of this time!