by Sharon O | Dec 9, 2015 | Uncategorized
In Luke chapter two we find Mary and Joseph needing to leave together.
[verse one: At the time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendent of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home.
He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.
He took with him, Mary his fiancée, who is now obviously pregnant.]
So we now understand why Joseph and Mary traveled together, when we would say it wasn’t a safe time for her to travel. It was mandated that he had to go, no matter what the reason.
I cannot imagine Mary at a later stage of pregnancy, traveling on a donkey 120 kilometers or the distance of eighty miles.
They were walking or riding. Struggling and agonizing every step towards the city.
We are not told if she went with a good spirit or if there was a bit of grumbling.
I know I would be grumbling a lot.
Did she have him rub her sore feet at night as they rested between walks?
Did she have a comfortable blanket or pillow to sleep with, while waiting for the next morning?
I cannot imagine being obviously pregnant and trying to sleep on the ground.
It could not have been easy for her, it could have taken them a few weeks to go a ‘steady pace.’
One can only imagine the long and hard road, and Mary’s discomfort and perhaps even a lack of patience.
Anyone would understand how hard and how difficult that had to have been.
The smell of donkey hair and dirt and dust had to have been all over them.
I wonder if they had enough water or food as they journeyed along this path.
It was a hard and exhausting journey for both of them, and as they walked together
did they talk much about what it would be like to see and have this little baby?
So much happening in such a short time.
I would imagine because of the census, there were many others doing the same kind of journey.
Only this journey Joseph and Mary walked, would be like no other one in history.
Soon a baby would be born, and life as they knew it would change forever.
by Sharon O | Dec 8, 2015 | Uncategorized
When Zechariah was told about Elizabeth’s baby, his response was one of question.
How can I be sure? which was a sign of unbelief. Which got him in trouble with the angel.
When Mary was told of her baby to be, her response was one of curiosity.
How can this be? Which moved her into a more accepting position and future.
When we see her spending time with Elizabeth, and noticing the reaction of one who has loved her for many years. We can see how Mary is moving into the place within her heart of receiving all that God was going to do, even if she didn’t fully understand it.
Elizabeth told her in Luke chapter one verse forty five:
“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
verse forty six begins with Mary’s response:
Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
ESV)
verse 56
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then went back to her home.
Mary’s song of praise was from a knowing…a knowing in her heart, that she was chosen.
Elizabeth was a mentor and encourager and said, “Mary, you are blessed.”
How precious it is to have someone believe in you even when you are unsure.
Perhaps that is why Mary went to see Elizabeth.
To find and receive words of affirmation and hope.
It is a special ‘relationship’ of sharing in miracles and believing in the promise of God.
They both will have a sons, and their lives will bring purpose and meaning to everyone.
What a glorious moment for both of them. Deep friendships sharing in the miraculous.
by Sharon O | Dec 7, 2015 | Uncategorized
We are not told how long Mary stayed with Elizabeth and Zechariah.
The word does not go in any details other than the greeting that took place between Elizabeth and Mary.
At the time of her visit Zechariah was not able to speak, as the Angel who told him about Elizabeth, gave him a bit of discipline, for not trusting him more when he was told about Elizabeth having a baby. He was finally chosen to be in the temple and finally able to the do the temple duties as an old man, and all of a sudden while in the temple, an angel appeared to him.
In Luke chapter one verse eleven it says:
[While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elizabeth will give you a son, and you are to name him John.”]
The conversation continued and Zechariah answered the angel with a bit of a question.
(I can’t really blame him for asking)
[“Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I am an old man now and my wife is also well along in years.”
Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God.
It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!
But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born.
For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”
So we find Mary visiting Elizabeth and Zechariah who had no voice.
One could assume she stayed until the baby came, as Elizabeth was in her sixth month which perhaps could put Mary at four months.
That might also have helped Mary learn of labor and delivery.
We are not told how she got there, or how far it was to travel there.
We do know this is where Mary says her magnificate prayer. The song of Mary.
There are many details we are not told, but what we do know, it is never a good idea to question an angel.
by Sharon O | Dec 6, 2015 | Uncategorized
The Christmas story is not just about Mary and Joseph and their experience.
The other Key people were Zacharias and Elizabeth.
We are told that she was a much older cousin of Mary’s.
I would think it would be similar to a grandma relationship rather than a friend.
We know that Zacharias and Elizabeth had never had children even though, it had always been the desire of their hearts. It is always hard for couples who cannot have children, it’s a deep sad heartache.
We are told they were a good couple, blameless in their lifestyle and steadfast in the Lord.
Elizabeth was way past child bearing years and no one would ever expect a miracle baby for them.
They certainly would not think that was possible.
During the visit from the angel to Mary we are told there was more news to share.
In Luke chapter one verse thirty four:
[Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.
What’s more, (as if to say, if you don’t believe in this miracle, lets’ try another one more believable), your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but now she is in her sixth month.
For nothing is impossible with God.”]
I would imagine that was a great way of helping Mary to understand, the power and the miraculous when hearing this news.
Mary knew she was up in years and would never imagine her having a little baby of her own.
In verse thirty nine it continues:
“A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zachariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.
At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
There are a few points here I would like to take note of.
Both babies, mentioned before birth had value, each had a purpose and each would play an important part of the story that was unfolding.
As we continue the Spirit of Christmas we will journey through even more signs of miracles and prophecy spoken.
There were others in the story, God saw that is was good to include those who had been waiting.
Isn’t that just like ‘our God’ to give us the desires of our hearts even when we least expect it?
by Sharon O | Dec 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
There is no mention of a wedding although the angel told Joseph in a dream to take Mary to be his wife.
Matthew chapter one verse twenty four it says:
[When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.]
One would have to imagine a command from an angel is pretty powerful, and also it was still part of their original plan to be married since they were engaged.
The wedding might have been already discussed and the details were in the works for the ‘special day.’
We are not told if it was a public or private one. There is no mention of it.
We are just told they were married as the angel commanded, and they waited to be ‘husband and wife’ till the new baby Jesus was born.
That took a great deal of courage and self control for a young couple, but based on the serious assignment they were given, I am sure it was something they could manage.
When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he said to her in Luke one verse twenty eight:
[“Greetings, favored women! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.
“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!”]
In order for us to fully understand this moment we need to understand the words that were spoken.
Dictionary.com said confused is: to perplex, bewilder, make unclear or to associate by mistake.
In other words Mary was having a difficult time understanding what was taking place.
The word disturb means: to interrupt the quiet, rest or peace, or to unsettle or cause disturbance.
I would imagine if an angel told anyone they were to not be afraid, just listen to me.
It would be unsettling and interrupting. Then to hear your life would change forever?
Yeah that would be a bit disturbing or interrupting or even, hard to believe.
To be favored was to have God’s grace and blessing upon you when you least deserve it.
After listening to the angel Gabriel Mary responded:
In Luke chapter one verse thirty eight:
[Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Then the angel left her.]
The spirit of Christmas continues as scripture moves towards the birth of Jesus.
