Elizabeth's Confession

Luke 1:39-45

So much excitement here! Mary had just been visited by the angel Gabriel and told of the Son she would soon deliver. Then Mary hurries to visit her relative, Elizabeth (also with child), to tell her the news! Upon Mary's arrival, Elizabeth shouts a Holy Spirit-inspired blessing, and Elizabeth's baby leaps in her womb! For context, Mary, an unwed mother, and Elizabeth, barren until now, would have been societal outcasts in that time and culture. Consequently, what happens next is even more significant. Elizabeth asks, "Why am I so favored to be visited by the mother of my Lord?"

In most cases, when anyone asks, "Why, me? What have I done to deserve this?” it's because something has gone terribly wrong in their life. Elizabeth recognizes that she, like all of us, is undeserving of even the simplest blessings that she receives and often takes for granted. With a grateful heart, Elizabeth asks, “Why me?” There’s an important lesson here. If we stop to ask God throughout the day, “Why me?” every time we receive a blessing, no matter how big or small, our entire day would be filled with praise and thanksgiving. And that just may be the point!

QUESTIONS:

1. How often do you ask, "Why me?" when you've received a blessing or something good happens?

2. How can we nurture our attitude of gratitude during this Christmas season?

PRAYER:

Gracious Lord, blessed are we who believe that what You have promised us will be fulfilled. Thank You, Jesus!

Phil Heveron

Zechariah's Prayer

Luke 1:5-18

For years Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed for a child, longing to be parents, but their prayer seemed unanswered. They were “righteous in the sight of God.” They were “good people,” but still Elizabeth was unable to conceive. By this time, any hope of being parents had vanished, as “they were both very old.”

But our God is a God of surprises, of the unexpected. He hears our prayers—no matter how big or small, simple or complex, straightforward or seemingly challenging—each and every prayer. He answers all of them.

God knew the longing of Zechariah's and Elizabeth’s hearts. He knew how much they wanted a child. When they least expected it, an angel appeared. Gabriel told Zechariah news that he never expected to hear: “Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.”

My guess? Zechariah and Elizabeth never completely gave up; they continued to pray. And in God’s perfect timing, He answered their prayer. And He will answer yours as well.

QUESTIONS:

1. Have you ever prayed for something and it seemed as though God didn’t even hear you? How did you feel? How did you respond?

2. What are you praying for these days? Are you willing to trust God to answer in His perfect timing, In His perfect way?

PRAYER:

God of hope, in this season of wonder and awe, continue to surprise us with Your answers to our prayers, in ways only You could.

Becki Bork

Luke 1:39-56

Mary

In this scripture reading, Mary visits Elizabeth who is expecting a child as she is. Elizabeth’s son will be John the Baptist, and hers, Jesus. Two blessed women given the gift of life for the world.

“Mary’s Song” in Like 1, is one of glorifying the Lord and rejoicing in the Savior. Mary humbles herself as a servant of God, and speaks of His mercy extending from generation to generation. Mary’s incredible journey is unfolding. She understands her role and her humanness. 

The heart of a mother is strong yet tender, and the love for her child reaches great depths. We mothers will endure great pain for our child. Knowing the arms of our Lord are wrapped around us is sometimes the only way we get through. 

Thank you Lord, for always remaining with us through our deepest pain. For giving us the strength and courage to carry out your will in faith and love. 

Please view a unique representation of:  Mary’s Journey

A leap through time

“When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Luke 1:41

When the ark of the covenant was carried back to Jerusalem, King David leaped and danced before it with all his might. This chest of wood, overlaid and adorned with gold, contained reminders of God’s promises and commands: manna – bread from heaven delivered daily on a just-in-time basis to a rebellious and wandering people; Aaron’s rod, which, though dead, yet budded, blossomed and brought forth almonds; and the Ten Commandments, stipulations of the old covenant etched in stone. And in this procession of God’s truth and faithfulness, David’s joy overflowed, neither contrived nor restrained.

Now turn the clock forward one thousand years to the dawning of a new day. There were no crowds this time, no trumpets, no gold ... just a young woman, Mary, visiting her aged relative, Elizabeth, each expecting her first child. In time, John, the son of the older woman, would herald Jesus, the son of the younger, as the long-promised Messiah. For Jesus himself would be our manna, new bread from heaven for an eternity of endless todays. Like Aaron’s rod, he would die, yet live and bring forth life. And he would perfectly fulfill for us the otherwise impossible demands of the law.

And as, in her womb, Mary carried this new covenant into his presence that day, John leaped for joy before him. His also was a joy neither contrived nor restrained.

No matter our circumstances, joy is ours when we rest in who God is and in the truth of his promises. His truth brings peace, and his peace brings joy. When we are poor, when we are hungry, when we weep, even when we are hated, excluded, insulted and rejected for our life in Christ, Jesus says, “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven (Luke 6:23).”

Ours is a simple, honest and liberating joy, one we can not contrive and need not restrain.