A Weary World Rejoices - Five Days of Preparing Your Heart for ChristmasSample

Read Luke 1:24-25,  1:15 and 1:39-45 paying close attention to the role of the Holy Spirit.

I remember how phenomenal it was to feel the movement of growing babies within my womb. During my first pregnancy, it seemed there was some kind of circus going on inside of me because there were two babies sharing that space. Although from the outside it looked as if I was giving them a ton of room (I outgrew my maternity clothes!), I’m sure from their perspective, the interior seemed a bit limited. 

Feeling your baby’s movement is a rather ordinary occurrence for most soon-to-be mothers so it is intriguing to listen to Elizabeth’s reaction to this experience upon encountering Mary. What is going on? Mary enters the room, Elizabeth feels her baby kick and all of a sudden, common becomes uncommon, natural supernatural and ordinary extraordinary! Do you think this was the very first time Elizabeth had ever felt her baby move inside of her? I doubt it but even if it was, what happened to cause her to interpret that movement as being a response to an unseen Presence within Mary? How did she know?!

Our answer comes in verse 41, “and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is deeply familiar with pregnant wombs. The very first page of God’s story introduces the Holy Spirit as One hovering, brooding, overshadowing that without form in preparation to birth all of creation. I can almost hear the process as the Spirit examines and sifts through the primordial mess. Speaking in whispers while envisioning intricately detailed beauty and designating purposeful, life-giving order. The Spirit knows intimately the womb of God. Indeed, He is the breath-quickening, awakening expression of God that births life throughout the pages of Scripture.

So is it any wonder that here, having been filled with the Spirit, Elizabeth catches her breath in discovery as the Spirit infuses the moment with significance and meaning? And with the Spirit’s enlivening, she is freed up to recognize and respond rightly to just who it is that occupies space within Mary’s womb! Though hidden beneath a surface that others have viewed as questionable at best and more probably scandalous, Elizabeth identifies the very presence of God, the fulfillment of His Word, the tangible manifestation of His purpose and plan!

The Holy Spirit empowers the eyes of mere mortals to behold and see into the very acts of God! When this happens, normal, everyday occurrences are received as merciful God-gifts. Circumstances misunderstood by many, even scorned by some are recognized as purposeful, filled with redemptive meaning and unimaginable fruitfulness.

Oh, the heart-leap of joy we experience when the Spirit gives us a glimpse behind the earthly veil! To identify the unseen hand of God at work in a specific moment transforms the mundane into the sacred.  

Sitting with self: 

Review the past days or weeks in your mind.  Where might you see the purposeful hand of God at work? How might He have been present, even working redemptive meaning, amidst the challenges you faced? What unexpected gifts did He give you?  As you think ahead to what your holiday season will hold, ask the Holy Spirit to connect His meaning with moments so that you can see God's purposes at work.

Sitting with God:

Oh, purposeful, powerful, ever-present God! Your Spirit breathes life into every moment, night and day.  Quicken the eyes of my heart that I might catch those glimpses behind Your mysterious veil and thrill with the joy of discovering You! Connect meaning with moment so that I recognize what You are doing in my life and in the world.  May I watch for You this Christmas.

Sitting with others:

Think about the people you will spend time with this holiday season. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see beyond the external so that you respond to each one with God’s heart. Ask Him for insight to recognize His movement in interactions and for courage to follow His lead.