ListenDaily – 06 December 2010: Surprises for Christmas! #1
Hi friends,
While reading and rereading the 'Christmas' story, it strikes me that there are many interesting stories within the story. So, let's take a few days and see what we can find. Jim
Scripture: Luke 1:35-46,56 (Highlight verse: 56)
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. 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 what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
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We know this story, right? Two miraculous pregnancies. Elizabeth's, miraculous because of her advanced age, and her cousin Mary's, miraculous for her child's conception was from the Holy Spirit.
But was Mary there at the birth of John the Baptizer? Let's look at the time line; Gabriel appears to Mary, and among the wondrous things he tells her, is the fact that Elizabeth -- is in her sixth month -- then, Mary -- hurried to -- Zechariah's home -- where she stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. This time frame would have put Mary with Elizabeth at the time of John's birth.
Now, this is not amazing unto itself -- it would be common for a relative to help in the last stages of pregnancy, especially with an older mother-to-be. But what else happened here that might have significance? Consider this:
1. Mary saw, for herself, the miracle of Elizabeth's pregnancy and John's birth. Would that not give some confidence to a young girl facing such a tremendous miracle herself?
2. She received affirmation -- as soon as she entered the house and 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 what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" So then, came a blessing, and a blessed response to lingering doubts Mary might have been experiencing.
3. She was able to spend those first difficult three months with family, and away from the accusing stares and whispers of her neighbors. Not that they would not come, but she had three months to prepare herself. Elizabeth knew the miracle surrounding Mary's condition and would have treated her with love and respect. She would have returned strengthened.
God was putting a tremendous blessing and a tremendous burden on the small shoulders of this remarkable girl.
Surely this time spent with Elizabeth and Zechariah was part of His plan to prepare her -- and prepare the world.
Questions:
1. Have you ever considered Mary being present at John's birth?
2. What do you think of the perspective presented here?
3. What other benefits might there have been in this visit?
May we appreciate His plans and preparations for us. Jim
God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life, that I may burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like You, Lord Jesus." -Jim Elliot
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