Christmas Advent Devotional Day 22: Coming Joy!

 



Luke 1:39-45

  

39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

 

Newly encouraged by Gabriel’s words in the previous verses, Mary decided to take a road trip to see her cousin Elizabeth. She is the one Gabriel told her was also expecting a miracle child.  As Mary enters the home of Zacharias (a priest) and Elizabeth, something extraordinary happens to Elizabeth and her child.  When Mary greeted them, the Holy Spirit came on Elizabeth and John the Baptist (in utero) and he leapt with the empowering.  It seems that this Spirit's infilling impacted Elizabeth as well and she began to make Spirit- empowered proclamations.

First, Elizabeth repeats what Gabriel had declared!  Mary was blessed among women.  The distinction of her assignment was unparalleled. Since the time that Eve sinned and was stripped of the Glory of God, there had not been a woman so singularly blessed!  In fact, the blessing Mary enjoyed superseded that of Eve. She not only got to live in the presence of God but the presence of God lived inside of her! She would be the only woman ever to hold such a position. Highly favored, indeed.

Second, through the Spirit, Elizabeth confirms that Mary is carrying a child. This is the third supernatural affirmation that she is expecting.  Elizabeth also declares that the child is blessed!!! The Holy Spirit in Elizabeth is testifying to His presence also in Mary’s womb.

Third, the Spirit reveals to Elizabeth, and she prophesies, that the child Mary is carrying is the Lord! Her very own Lord.  The Lord of the world.  And her response is appropriate- humility! Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Indeed!  Who am I that my Lord should come to me?  That is truly what He has done.  He has come down in the flesh and went out to seek and save that which was lost.  You and me.  All of mankind!

Fourth, Elizabeth testified that the coming of the Lord to her had brought great joy to both her and her unborn son!  This joy was prophesied to both Zacharias (Luke 1:14) and Mary (Luke 1:28). The coming of the Lord into the world, or into a person’s heart, is always accompanied by great joy.

Finally, Elizabeth affirms that Mary is blessed for believing the things that the Lord had spoken to her.  What a beautiful affirmation from the Lord!  And how timely. As her pregnancy progresses (and all that she will face during those days and after Christ’s birth), Mary needs to be reminded that she has a Word from the Lord.  (Literally, the Word of God is planted in her womb!) And she is reminded that blessing comes from believing the Word that God gave her would come to pass.  In fact, Elizabeth affirms that the things spoken would come to pass!

Reflect today on the joy that the coming of the Lord brings to the world, and to you personally.



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