December 17, 2014

Luke 1:39-45

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!”

What a beautiful scene we witness here! Even apart from Elizabeth’s supernatural epiphany, we find in both women a posture of both humility and mutual celebration. Each had been recipients of- and conduits for- the blessing of God that would be for all people, for all time. Both were walking miracles. But notice the lack of comparison, the desire to bless and serve the other. Observe how they turn the spotlight not only towards one another but also towards the Giver of the gifts. See the way they love to rejoice in the good fortunes of another person. What a sharp contrast to our “selfie” obsessed culture, with our constant need to herald our own achievements- large and small. What if we took a cue from these godly women and learned the art of celebrating others above ourselves? What if we found rejoicing in God’s gifts to others did not diminish our joy but magnified it instead? What if, in the very act of noticing God’s goodness towards others, we were able to see His gifts to us even more clearly? What if?

How well do you tend to notice and celebrate other people? Who is someone that you could rejoice in and with today?

For Families

Take some time to celebrate each other- thanking God for the unique and wonderful things you see in one another. Talk about what that feels like.