A Baby Changes Everything

Luke 1: 41-42 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost; And she spoke out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

Verse 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy

When I read these verses I can’t help but think back on the birth of my own children and those first moments holding their tiny hand in mine, brushing their tiny cheek with my finger, feeling their baby soft skin, It is as if I can still feel those first moments and my heart fills with joy.  Babies are a miracle of God and a wonder to behold. Sharing those moments with family and friends brings a common feeling of love and excitement.

 I envision the day that Mary arrived at the home of her cousin Elizabeth, she had come to stay for a few months in those early days of her pregnancy.  I wonder if she was anxious about how she would be received by Elizabeth?  If she was, her anxious thoughts would have been quickly extinguished by the Holy Ghost filled greeting she got from Elizabeth upon her arrival.  Scripture says when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, she was filled with the Holy Ghost! Now that is a POWERFUL Baby reveal.  This was not just any baby, this was the King of Glory, The son of God, Jesus the savior of the World.  Scripture goes on and tells us that Elisabeth who was in her six month of pregnancy shouted with a loud voice as the Holy Ghost came on her and the child within her leaped for joy. 

Are you looking for Jesus? Are you expecting him in your daily walk?  I believe Elisabeth was a faith filled individual who had a heart of expectancy waiting in faith for the fulfillment of the birth of the savior.  When Elisabeth came in close proximity to the expectant Mary, she did not have to wait for someone to introduce her she recognized and received.  Jesus will change your situation.  His presence in your circumstance’s changes everything.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I welcome your presence into my life today.  I pray your Kingdom come; thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  I surrender to your kingdom rule in all areas of my life.  I trust and place my faith in you my savior. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Settling Your Mind

On December 23, 1823 the lyrics to one of the oldest and most famous Christmas poems of all time was published for the first time in the Troy Sentinel newspaper in upstate New York. The name of the poem? Twas the Night before Christmas. This story was most definitely a Christmas classic in our home and my dad would often quote lines from the poem in the days leading up to Christmas eve, what a picture it creates of that joyful evening for children and adults alike.  One particular verse in the poem struck me as particularly queer in its language, it says, “Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap had just settled our brains for a long winters nap.”  I understand now this wording is referring to their minds but as a child in the late 20th century this wording was strangely odd to me.

As a young girl I identified with the anticipation and excitement of the waiting children, but now as an adult I certainly feel the angst that the mom and dad felt in the days leading up to the “big day”.

 It’s easy to become consumed with buying the perfect gift, balancing the check book, while attending holiday parties and creating meaningful family time.  It’s a lot to balance.  When lying down in the bed at night its not so hard to understand why sometimes sleep and rest can elude us as our thoughts and visions race with activity. “Settling our brains” as the poem is penned now becomes completely comprehensible. 

The scripture from Psalm 63: 5-7 says this:

My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips when I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches. For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice.

When we lie down in our beds at night, we have the power to choose what we will think on.  A restless mind will rob us of our joy but when we meditate on the goodness of God, how He has been our help then we will find our mouth filled with praise and joy on our lips.  I encourage you this holiday season to remember God, the gift of His son and His great love for you.  Recount the testimonies of how He has kept you and declare His promises in your life. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, forgive me for when I have allowed the enemy to rob me of the joy, I have in you.  You are my song in the night hour, O how I love to rejoice in your great name. Amen