Advent Week 3 Theme: Joy – The First Time Jesus Acted Out

Have you ever been so happy, it was hard to breathe? I think the aging process sometimes dilutes the intensity of the happiness factor, but for this one moment go back and grab some memories of can’t-sleep-can’t speak-excitement. Imagine the emotion blinging from the walls, floor and ceiling of Elizabeth and Zechariah’s home. Elizabeth was greeting Mary, the mother of her Lord and God. And don’t forget that long after she had given up any hope of being a mom, Elizabeth herself was pregnant with the baby that would grow up to be John the Baptist.IMG_0531
Elizabeth recognized that Mary was carrying the Son of God; this scripture tells us that even the unborn baby acted out for the first time – while in the womb, jumping for joy.  For women and men who have never experienced the somersault of a baby during pregnancy, it’s an indescribable sensation, each movement tethered to a deeper, heart connection. Imagine young Mary being radiant with the love of the child she’s carrying, visiting in the home of her relative who was excited about her own impending chance at motherhood, carrying the child who would grow up to have a strong and loving relationship with his cousin, John the Baptist.
That’s a lot to absorb, and even more to contain. Their own fireworks display, right there in Judah!
December 17 – Theme Joy
Luke 1:39-45 (the Message translation)
Mary didn’t waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah’s house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly,
You’re so blessed among women, and the babe in your womb, also blessed!
And why am I so blessed that the mother of my Lord visits me?
The moment the sound of your greeting entered my ears,
the babe in my womb skipped like a lamb for sheer joy.
Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true!
Mary did you know?    Rascal Flatts
 

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