A Spirit-Filled Difference
Luke 1:39-56
“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!” And Mary said : “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humbled state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me- Holy is His Name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as He said to our fathers.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.”
As we prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ think of the experience Maryand Elizabeth had in these scriptures. Elizabeth’s baby, (who would go on to become John the Baptist) leaped in his mothers womb at the presence of Jesus who was still in Mary’s womb! John recognized and acknowledged his Savior even from the womb.
Do we acknowledge our savior before people with whom we come in contact? When we are shopping among the crowds at Wal-Mart can others tell that we are Christians? Does the thought of our Savior make our hearts and minds leap for joy? It says Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit as soon as she hears Mary’s voice.
This Advent season should fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit and give us a spirit of worship as we recognize the birth of our Holy Savior. It should fill our hearts with praise to God like it did Mary. Others should see this praise in our hearts in the way we talk, how we act and behave everywhere we are. In traffic, in the shopping line, at work, in everything we do. Our attitudes should reflect to others the true meaning of Christmas.
Oh how grateful and full of praise we should be. Just as Elizabeth asked, why are we so favored that the Lord would choose us? We don’t deserve it but He loves us so much He offered us His Salvation anyway!
Christmas is a time we get together with family. This special occasion with Mary was with Elizabeth who was a relative of hers. We too can share times of praise and worship to our Lord with our family. Let us take the opportunity this Christmas holiday to share God’s love with our own families and have a spirit of worship when we gather together.
Just as Jesus has welcomed us into the family of God, we too can reach out to others who don’t have anyone and show them God’s love by including them in our family. I have been that lonely person who was invited in to another’s family Christmas gathering. This is a powerful showing of God’s love and I will never forget how that felt. This Christmas season let us keep in our hearts the true Christmas Spirit and share it with others.
Prayer: Holy Father, this Christmas season may we show Your love to those around us with a spirit of worship and praise. May others see the real meaning of Christmas in our lives. May we have the same love toward others that You have for us. Amen.
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