>>Mary was just a woman, so we’d expect to hear about Elizabeth as often as we do Mary.<<
Are you arguing who should be more “famous”? If you compare the offspring of Elizabeth (the reason for her fame) and the offspring of Mary (the reason for her fame), which of these women would you expect to hear the most about?
>>I’ve yet to hear a protestant (and I was a protestant), ever preach a sermon on Mary, despite her prominence in Luke 1. Why is this?<<
As a protestant I have heard sermons on Mary, Ruth, Naomi, Soloman, David and pretty much every other called out character in the bible. It is usually based on what they did, their adherence to God’s instruction and the outcome. That may be why even a sermon on Judas brings enlightenment.
Maybe you were going to a limited focus church.
“If you compare the offspring of Elizabeth (the reason for her fame) and the offspring of Mary (the reason for her fame), which of these women would you expect to hear the most about.”
Thank you. So veneration of Mary as the Mother of God is appropriate. Well said.