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

Mary is Encouraged

December 13 

                                                                                

Scripture Reading
Read Luke 1:39-45 and reflect on the passage.

An Angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and told her she was to be the mother of God-Incarnate. Wow, that's a lot for such a young woman to take in. She did what many young girls might do when confronted with startling news; she went to visit a favorite aunt. She needed some time to process and to prepare her heart for the future.

Mary needed the wisdom of an older woman, and probably just wanted to go off by herself to think and see if she could understand all this. It turned out, the visit became just what Mary needed. Her Aunt Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting and the baby in Elizabeth's womb moved; scripture says the baby leaped. At that moment, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!"

Elizabeth turned out to be the perfect woman for Mary to reach out to. We don't know all the conversations they shared, but probably lots of advice was given and prayers raised up. Elizabeth affirmed Mary and her blessed condition. No doubt, Mary and Elizabeth probably retold this story many time over the years.

Questions

1. Do you think the wisdom of an older woman, who was also expecting, was helpful to Mary?

2. Do you ever seek the wise counsel of others when faced with difficult situations? Have you considered finding a mentor, someone older and wiser?

Prayer

Father, thank you for telling us the amazing story behind the birth of Your Son. Give us a true sense of joy this season. Amen

                                                                                                                                                            Judy Webb