In the next few days we'll be reading about Mary visiting Elizabeth, John the Baptist's birth and get to see what Zechariah had to say once he was finally able to speak. There's a lot going on and some rich content here. But instead of honing in on a specific verse today I'm going to take more of a big picture approach and look at these three people and their incredible responses to God and His plan.
Let's start with Mary. Here she is pregnant and not married. This was scandalous, not to mention dangerous. Yet instead of fear and anxiousness, we see an attitude of obedience and praise. She trusts God completely. Then there's Elizabeth. She, too, demonstrates total trust and faith in God. Her circumstance is certainly out of the ordinary. Yet there she is believing and then telling Mary that she (Mary) is blessed because she believed that the Lord would do what He told her. And finally, there's Zechariah. (I absolutely love his prophecy at the end of chapter 1.) For us, reading that scripture passage makes so much sense. But Zechariah didn't know all that we know today. That's what makes it so incredible. All through verses 67-79 Zechariah is praising God and proclaiming Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer and the light to the world. Again we see absolute faith, trust and belief in God and His plan.
What awesome examples from these three people. So if you're having a tough time this week, try reading Luke 1:39-80 again and really tune into the hearts and attitudes of Mary, Elizabeth and Zechariah. I'm going to read it all again as I sign off today and my prayer is that what I read will be infectious to me today and the rest of this week. Try it. Then let me know your thoughts. Tami W.
P.S. Make sure and watch my video blog for Thursday, Christmas day. It's something different and fun. I had a blast recording it and think you'll like watching it as well!
The reading for Dec 23, Luke 1:57-80 was great. As I read and contemplated the section, I was struck by the last verse "and the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel." What an awesome revelation! John was in solitude of the wilderness to become strong in spirit. He wasn't stressing over the things of this world, he was walking with God. With all the busyness of this time of the year, it is hard to remember that we need to take some time off and be in His word and walk with Him in solitude as we prepare our hearts for our Savior.
I wish you and your family a blessed and merry Christmas.
THANK YOU, LYNN, FOR YOUR INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS. AND THANKS YOU, TAMI, FOR ALL YOU DO PUTTING TOGETHER THIS STUDY! I AM FINALLY BECOMING INVOLVED IN IT AND HOPE I AM DEVELOPING A ROUTINE THAT WILL CONTINUE ONCE MY "BUSYNESS" RETURNS AFTER THE NEW YEAR. IT IS SUCH A BLESSING; IT IS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW I LET THE CARES AND CONCERNS OF THE EVERYDAY INTERFERE WITH THE PEACE AND ASSURANCE THAT COMES FROM STUDY WITH GOD'S WORD!
CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS TODAY AND EVERYDAY TO YOU ALL!
Looking for the special singing Christmas blog that 12/25 email refers to.
merry CHRISTmas