Christmas Joy!

Luke 1:39-56

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

 

Greetings, my Beloved!

Christmas is right around the corner, and I am beaming with excitement. You must think I was a child, as excited as I am about Christmas, but I have every right to be, this is the celebration of the birth of my savior! This advent week is all about the Joy of Christmas, and there is so much joy in this season.

ADVENT SONG

Verse 1:
Light the Advent Candle one
Now the waiting has begun
We have started on our way
Time to think of Christmas Day

Chorus:
Candle, candle, burning bright
Shining in the cold winter night
Candle, candle, burning bright
Fill our hearts with Christmas Light

Verse 2: Light the Advent Candle two
Think of humble shepherds who
Filled with wonder at the sight
Of the child on Christmas night

Verse 3:
Light the Advent Candle three
Think of heavenly harmony
Angels singing "Peace on Earth"

At the Blessed Saviour's birth

 

This advent week is all about the Joy of Christmas, and there is so much joy in this season. When I think about joy this Christmas season, I can't help but think about Mary's visit with Elizabeth. Can you imagine, being visited by the woman that God found favorable enough to carry and raise His only son. Think about that for a second. Even Elizabeth found the significance of it all. It's awesome to see that already, Elizabeth knew that Mary was carrying the Son of God in her womb - "But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." And because she and the baby she was carrying recognized it, the baby leapt for joy within her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. How awesome is that! The next sentence always encourages me, when my faith is lacking - it is the trust part of your relationship with God, knowing, believing that His promises are true, and that they will come through. We have been fighting the infertility battle for almost 6 years now. It has been a tough, uphill battle, but we believe that God's promises are true. We believe that God has promised us a child, and we pray every night for this promise to be fulfilled. Know that Mary never doubted God, is such an encouragement to me, and brings such joy to my heart. And if that isn't something to rejoice about, check out Mary's song. This woman knows God. She recognizes the joy in the pregnancy, but realizes it is nothing she did, it was about God. God chose her to carry His son, because he found favor in her. How awesome is that! God can choose each of us to perform His mighty works! We just have to have faith, and believe that His promises never fail. Doesn’t that bring you joy, unspeakable joy!