2020 Advent Devotions
Saturday, December 19 - Lee Yohn
Luke 1:41-44 “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.””
These are the words of Elizabeth in response to Mary’s visit, both of whom were expectant mothers. Mary replied with a song of praise, known as the Magnificat. Nothing brings more joy to parents than the anticipation of having a child other than the birth itself. When a child is presented for baptism, that joy extends to the church family, knowing the benefits of God’s promise for that child. We can only imagine how that joy was magnified for Elizabeth and Mary, after the angel Gabriel had declared that Elizabeth’s son, John, would prepare the way for Mary’s son, Jesus, the Son of God. When Jesus was born, the angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds that a Savior was born for all people. That news would eventually reverberate throughout the whole world, and give great joy to all Christians.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for your promise of salvation. May we be filled with great joy during this Advent season as we anticipate the birth of our Savior. Amen.
Luke 1:41-44 “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.””
These are the words of Elizabeth in response to Mary’s visit, both of whom were expectant mothers. Mary replied with a song of praise, known as the Magnificat. Nothing brings more joy to parents than the anticipation of having a child other than the birth itself. When a child is presented for baptism, that joy extends to the church family, knowing the benefits of God’s promise for that child. We can only imagine how that joy was magnified for Elizabeth and Mary, after the angel Gabriel had declared that Elizabeth’s son, John, would prepare the way for Mary’s son, Jesus, the Son of God. When Jesus was born, the angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds that a Savior was born for all people. That news would eventually reverberate throughout the whole world, and give great joy to all Christians.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for your promise of salvation. May we be filled with great joy during this Advent season as we anticipate the birth of our Savior. Amen.