LINK TO CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC CHRISTMAS IN STORE
Just a reminder that there are a lot of Christmas digital clip art, crafting, card making and paper pack kits available in the store and all of them are on sale only through December 15th, 2008!
THE CHRISTMAS STORY: Luke 1:38-56
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed. 43 What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! 44 When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! 45 You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise
46 Mary responded, “Oh, how I praise the Lord. 47 How I rejoice in God my Savior! 48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. 49 For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. 50 His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. 51 His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! 52 He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands. 54 And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. 55 For he promised our ancestors–Abraham and his children–
to be merciful to them forever.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home. NLT
COMMENTS: Can you imagine how encouraging this must have been for Mary? A girl in a condition of great “shame” to those not understanding what had happened, visits her aunt who without being told a thing CONFIRMS exactly what the angel of God had told Mary. It was no small thing to be found pregnant without being married in the time and culture. This was to be a “shame” Mary would be subject to in many eyes for the rest of her life — but within her family they accepted, embraced and affirmed her. They recognized what God had done and encouraged her faith. This is an important role for us to play in each other’s lives as family!
PRAYER: Lord, what a beautiful thing it was that you spoke to Mary’s heart through the prophet utterance of her Aunt. You confirmed the very things that You had told Mary and encouraged her in what was a very difficult time for Mary in so many ways. Help me to be encouraging to my family members in any way I can. Speak through me that which will encourage each heart, build faith and express unconditional love to each member of my family. Where relationships are difficult give me the grace and strength to lead toward reconciliation and restoration. Where they are wonderful, continue to built them year-by-year. Bless my family through me. AMEN