"The Song of the Hill Country

 1. The Summary: "The Song of the Hill Country"

Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, were very old and had almost given up hope of having a family. But Elizabeth never lost her kindness. One day, an angel promised them a son. When Elizabeth’s cousin Mary came to visit, the two women shared a beautiful moment of joy in the hills of Judea. Elizabeth’s son, John, would grow up to be a voice in the wilderness, but her story is about the quiet beauty of a promise kept.

2. The Lyrics: "The Waiting and the Welcome"

Rhythm: A gentle, swaying 3/4 time (like a lullaby or a waltz).

(Verse 1) In the (G) hills of Ju-(C)-dea where the (G) olive trees (D) grow Lived (G) gentle E-(C)-lizabeth, (D) steady and (G) slow The (G) years passed her (C) by like the (G) clouds o'er the (D) plain She (G) waited in (C) sunshine, she (D) waited in (G) rain.

(Verse 2) Her (G) house it was (C) quiet, her (G) hearth it was (D) still But (G) faith was the (C) lantern she (D) kept on the (G) sill "The (G) Lord has not (C) heard us," the (G) neighbors might (D) say But (G) she kept on (C) walking the (D) Narrowest (G) Way.

(Chorus) Oh, (C) sing for the waiting, and (G) sing for the (Em) old For the (G) stories of (C) silver and (D) promises (G) gold For the (C) joy that comes (D) leaping like a (G) lamb in the (Em) spring When the (G) heart that was (C) silent be-(D)-gins now to (G) sing.

(Verse 3) Then (Em) came a young (C) cousin from (G) Nazareth (D) town With (Em) dust on her (C) sandals and (G) blue in her (D) gown When (Em) Mary stepped (C) forward and (G) called out her (D) name The (G) baby inside her (C) leaped (D) up like a (G) flame!

(Verse 4) "Oh, (G) blessed are (C) you," cried E-(G)-lizabeth (D) loud "The (G) sun has broken (C) through the (D) heaviest (G) cloud!" No (G) longer the (C) silence, no (G) longer the (D) fear For the (G) voice of the (C) morning is (D) finally (G) here.

(Outro) Now (G) rest, weary (C) mother, the (G) stars are a-(D)-glow The (G) seeds that you (C) planted are (D) starting to (G) grow For (G) nothing is (C) wasted and (G) no one's for-(D)-got In the (G) garden of (C) mercy, in (D) God’s humble (G) plot.

3. Storyboard & Visual Ideas

The art for Elizabeth's story should feel soft and warm, like a sunset.

The Long Wait: An illustration of Elizabeth sitting by a window or a well, looking out at the road. Show the passage of time by drawing different seasons in the window (spring flowers, then winter snow).

The Meeting: This is the "high point" of the story. Use bright, joyful colors here—vibrant blues for Mary and warm earth tones for Elizabeth.

The "Leap": A clever visual way to show the baby "leaping" is to draw a small, glowing star or a golden light over Elizabeth’s heart as she greets Mary.

The Hills: Use rolling, green hills and stone paths to show the "Hill Country."

4. Discussion: "The Beauty of Waiting"

For children, waiting is very hard! This story can help them understand:

Hope: Just because something hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it never will.

Supporting Friends: Elizabeth was so happy for Mary, even though Mary’s miracle was big too. It teaches kids to be happy for others.

Quiet Strength: You don't have to be a warrior to be a saint; being kind and faithful in your own home is just as important.