Choosing Christmas, Day Eighteen
Day Eighteen December 20 I’ve told you I’m trying to keep our daily readings brief, right? Toward that end, I thought I’d better let this line of Mary’s song have a day all to itself, because these words resound with one of my favorite promises in all of God’s Word. (He repeats it cover to cover, and I never tire of talking about it.) Feast with me,
Choosing Christmas, Day Seventeen
Day Seventeen December 19 Let’s begin today’s devotional by reading the next five lines of the Magnificat: “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear
Choosing Christmas, Day Sixteen
Day Sixteen December 18 If Mary had a prepared speech, she never gave it. The Spirit of God literally takes over the meeting and her older cousin breaks out in a celebration that confirms the news Mary has yet to spill. I’m reminded of the old commercial, “How do you spell relief?” Mary may have spelled it: “E-L-I-Z-A-B-E-T-H!” for the young traveler is suddenly energized! She responds with
Choosing Christmas, Day Fifteen
Day Fifteen December 17 Can you put yourself in Mary’s shoes as she lands on Elizabeth’s doorstep? This young girl is aware that life, as she had expected it to unfold, is over. Scholars suggest that it’s likely Mary hasn’t told anyone of her pregnancy at this point—not her parents, nor her peers, and not the man she planned to marry. By this time, yours truly here
Choosing Christmas, Day Fourteen
Day Fourteen December 16 Among the many beautiful components of Gabriel’s prophesy concerning the ministry of John the Baptist is this: God’s messenger said he would turn the hearts of the Fathers back to the children. “And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power
Choosing Christmas, Day Thirteen
Day Thirteen December 15 Let’s dwell for a minute on the unborn babies in this scene. Perhaps we could picture Elizabeth and Mary meeting for lunch after their visits to their OB/GYN’s office, and they’re comparing notes on their babies’ development. Elizabeth is thrilled to report that her child is almost fully formed in her womb. Mary, however, is somewhere in her first trimester. We can’t pinpoint
Choosing Christmas, Day Twelve
Day Twelve December 14 So, we haven’t gotten Mary and Elizabeth any farther than the door. Sorry, about that y’all. There’s just so much to consider, and I’m trying to keep our daily readings brief. We’ve been talking about the women’s mutual faith. Today, we’ll focus on Elizabeth, the older of the two. First, a reminder: Elizabeth wasn’t a spring chicken when she conceived. And, as the
Choosing Christmas, Day Eleven
Day Eleven December 13 Remember on Day Three when we talked about how our faith walks encourage one another? And then on Day Six we talked about Mary’s humble and willing “be it done unto me according to God’s word” response to Gabriel? Well today, we’ll focus on how these two thoughts explode in a marvelous celebration from Elizabeth, for indeed “God is working all things together
Choosing Christmas, Day Ten
Day Ten December 12 In Elizabeth’s initial greeting to Mary, we find these words, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” Consider Mary’s feelings as she hears these words. She had been told, in private—by an angel no less!—that she would carry the Son of God. There was no witness to talk it
Choosing Christmas, Day Nine
Day Nine December 11 Yesterday I left you to consider how you could invite God into your conversations with others. Again, I’d love to read your responses—but only to learn from you, not to grade your answers! Scrutinizing each other’s lives to determine who is more mature in the faith will always be a spirit draining exercise. The Apostle Paul, under the influence of the Holy Spirit,