Advent Day 8
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Luke 1:39-45
We are anticipating the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is advent. And this year we are following Luke’s gospel as he passes on to us the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life.
Getting presents at Christmas can be great. Sometimes it isn’t. Sorry - I just find it hard to get excited about being either given socks & undies or some fairly unthoughtful gift. The greatest gifts are the ones that are surprisingly better than we expect.
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, has a revelation. Her cousin is carrying the Lord in her womb. And she is overwhelmed. Surprised & joyful. Who am I to be so favored? Here in her cousin’s womb is the Lord, the Savior of the world.
Here is something we could all recognise. Jesus is a present greater than we could ever expect. Who are we to be so favored as to be given salvation and hope? The truth is, sinners deserve less than socks and undies. We deserve nothing.
And yet, God, in His kindness, has sent His Son to be our Christmas present. How will you receive Him today? Will you say with Elizabeth, blessed is He and blessed are we? Or, will you treat Him like socks and undies this Christmas?
For Today:
Pray:
Luke 1:39-45
We are anticipating the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is advent. And this year we are following Luke’s gospel as he passes on to us the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life.
Getting presents at Christmas can be great. Sometimes it isn’t. Sorry - I just find it hard to get excited about being either given socks & undies or some fairly unthoughtful gift. The greatest gifts are the ones that are surprisingly better than we expect.
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, has a revelation. Her cousin is carrying the Lord in her womb. And she is overwhelmed. Surprised & joyful. Who am I to be so favored? Here in her cousin’s womb is the Lord, the Savior of the world.
Here is something we could all recognise. Jesus is a present greater than we could ever expect. Who are we to be so favored as to be given salvation and hope? The truth is, sinners deserve less than socks and undies. We deserve nothing.
And yet, God, in His kindness, has sent His Son to be our Christmas present. How will you receive Him today? Will you say with Elizabeth, blessed is He and blessed are we? Or, will you treat Him like socks and undies this Christmas?
For Today:
- What is the worst gift you have ever received?
- Do you believe you deserve good things from God?
- What’s one reason you can be joyful this Christmas?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He favors us with His Son.
- Give thanks for Jesus who is God’s gift to us.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others have joy today because of Jesus.
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