The relationship between Mary and Elizabeth was very special. They were cousins with a wide age range between them. They were two women sharing the same experience. Elizabeth was past the child bearing years and miraculously expecting a son she would name John. Mary still in her youth and a virgin miraculously expecting a son she would name Jesus. They both shared a miracle and they both knew how miraculous each of those were for each other. When Mary found Elizabeth she was encouraged and affirmed. I am sure she was wanting so much to talk and share and tell the story of the angel and what was said between them. Elizabeth believed her story and believed the call on her life and affirmed her by saying “my baby leaped upon hearing you.” How could she not believe for she was carrying a child and that certainly was not possible had it not been for a miracle. Elizabeth ministered to Mary in such a way that I don’t believe we can realize. She confirmed in her heart she was special. She understood and believed her story. Can you imagine the hugs between them almost a sisterhood? When Joseph heard about the baby he wanted to quietly send Mary away to protect her and her family from shame. For to be with child and not married was a tremendous shame in that culture and Joseph knew that it would be hurtful to her. Through his obedience he showed Mary love and compassion by taking her to be his wife. That is what happens when we care for someone we want the best for them. Each of them were a part of a miracle the miracle of life and birth and peace and hope. The story of their shared miracles continues through out history. The story of the baby born in a city called Bethlehem and the wise men who came from a far to see him. Each of them were a part of a miracle and a story of love and redemption too. If we opened our hearts we would be a part of it also. Are we ready to open our hearts?
I have been thinking about the Christmas story. One thing that has come to my mind is the parallel between the story and Psalm 139. Psalm 139: 13-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. God knew God spoke life God said to the Angel… go tell Mary “I have chosen her.” Just as he had chosen Elizabeth Mary’s cousin. Luke 1:13-15 the angel talking to Zechariah; “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. The way was being prepared. With Elizabeth first then with Mary. Luke 1:26-32 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent an angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” vs 32b vs 34. “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” Mary’s response: I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (I wonder what her thoughts were after the angel left remember she was young and this would be very life changing for her) Reading further… vs 39. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. (I wonder what the greeting was ~we aren’t really told) vs 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Isn’t it awesome that God knew us… just as He knew them before we were born. Elizabeth was honoring Mary her relative and the baby heardthe baby reacted Life in the womb is often a mystery but it is life and it is real and babies can listen. God knew they would be boys God knew their names God knew the call on their lives before they were born. Before they experienced a breath He knew their name and who they would be forever in history. Before they breathed a breath of lifeGod knew them. Do you believe that God knew you too?
Have your sound on… This is an incredible song and thought. Do we stand in line and wait… to see Jesus? would we if we had the chance? I know I have stood in line with children and waited and waited… a wonderful question this season. Where is the line?? Where is the excitement? The anticipation of a Savior… is it near?
I was honored to be a guest writer on Mary Demuth’s thin place side. She featured my story about Mary my sister there is so much more that could be written about her and her story this is just a beginning of the journey from death to life.
The other thing I wonder about sometimes in the Christmas story. Mary was so young and Joseph too did they worry about what it would mean for them to have a special child? This was a child who was given to them by divine appointment by an angel announcing it. She didn’t read the news on a stick with a plus or minus like someone would find out now. She was told… don’t be afraid you are with Child. Did she have morning sickness and fatigue just like other new mom’s? What was it like to feel the movement of the ‘Holy Child’ within her? What was she thinking as she watched her roundness grow did Joseph get excited or was he worried? So much to think about the Bible said ‘she kept it all near her heart’. Wouldn’t we all? So much to deal with so much to handle physically and emotionally.
Mary was just like other new moms who are expecting only her child was to be different. Divine appointment Divine assignment. Can you even imagine? One week you are just a ‘young person’ the next week you are met with an angel telling you about a life changing moment. Your life changing moment forever. That you are to be the mother of the Holy Saviour who would save not only the world but yourself too. I wonder…so much… can you wonder with me?
I often wonder did Mary and Joseph talk about the angels who told them about the baby arriving? Wouldn’t that be something special to share with each other? How did it appear to you Joseph and how did it appear to you Mary? What did you feel or think? Were you scared? After all she was very young in her teens and he was just as unprepared. Also I wonder did they know each other and were they friends before or were they given the heavenly order to become married then to get to know each other. The other thing I wonder about is if they ever talked about how Joseph saved her life. For to be with child and unmarried Mary could have been stoned. She knew the consequences and yet she said ‘I choose’. I accept. I will be obedient. Joseph also knew that as he took her for his wife he was not only being obedient when he didn’t fully understand it all. He knew he had to do follow through for the angel told him to do it. There was no discussion. The angel said: Joseph… take Mary to be your wife. There were so many questions that could have come between the two of them. So many worries and fears. I often wonder what they were thinking in the quiet of the night.
Advent has begun. The remembering is moving into a place in our minds and our activities. We plan our decorations and our shopping and baking. Oh can we plan a spiritual time too? I so want to make it a spiritual season not just filled with packages and stuff that most of us don’t really need. Grandma will do fun special things for the children but I want more than anything for them to know that the season is not about more stuff. It is about the story. Matthew 1:18-24
The story of a young couple given a Divine order. The story of a young couple choosing to be obedient. Even when they didn’t really know what that meant or what it would cost them. The story of a young girl chosen to be a mom the mom….of a saviour. Her saviour and ours. What did she feel like? What did she think? When the angel appeared and said to her ‘fear not.’ It would take your breath away. Fear not… Mary Fear not… I am standing in the presence of an angel and I am told to Fear not? Mary could have said that or at least thought it. How can I not question for I am pure of body and heart.
How did she do it and how did they both sleep at night knowing there would be a son born to them. I would toss and turn and be forever restless. Perhaps since she was carrying the saviour of the world she had an intense peace ‘that passes all understanding-deep within her heart.’ Perhaps as she sat with Joseph and whispered to him, as he held her shaking hand… “I am scared, I don’t understand it all but I choose… I choose… Joseph choose with me…stay with me so we can see… what the angels have told us.” Oh what a moment between them. The choice of obedience and trust. What a precious little couple… We sing, “Oh little town of Bethlehem and We three kings of Orient are.” We sing, “Away in the manger and O Holy Night.”
But can we grasp the HOLY MOMENTS of the passage of time when it began? Where everything around them anticipated the birth of a special baby. The moment when the stillness of the night and the light of the stars were so bright. The moment and reflection of a scared girl becoming a mom and a scared dad holding an infant SO full of power and yet so full of innocence as it all began. They were young. They were beginning a life full of such uncertainties and yet they loved the child just as we would love our newborns. I hold my two month old grandson and I see how precious how miraculous how innocent he is. And this baby in the manger was just like my precious grandson. The difference… When she held his tiny warm body she held the SON Immanuel God with us. Advent is here may we never forget the journey to the manger along the path leading to the story. Lord Jesus Help us to remember The most important story of all time. Your story… O Holy Night… may we fall on our knees and praise you.
Someone at our church lost her husband the day before Thanksgiving. How does one deal with that? He had been on a heart transplant list for four months. Can you imagine? four months of waiting… waiting… waiting… for a heart to be available. It is hard to wait …. to question … can you live longer… will they find a match for you… If their heart is good then it takes a fast acting team to do the surgery and implant the heart into a chest waiting.
He didn’t get a heart. He rested and waited for 4 months and no heart was there to bring life His body weakened and he could wait no longer. God has a reason. God has a purpose for the wait and the heart ache and the final hours. We won’t ever understand it. We won’t ever know why some live and some don’t. We just need to remember this little family now with our prayers. Can you pray with me? He left behind a wife and two sons, ages 8 and 4.
Thank you for being with her God, Give her strength and stamina to press forward in the days and months to come. Help her now to rest in your powerful wonderful love. Help her in her sorrow. Help her in her weakness. For we give her to you as a child of yours who needs your arms to hold her. She needs a hug… Thank you for your promise that you will not ever leave us. Bring comfort to her … bring peace to her… Give her rest through your powerful name ~ Amen
This is the blog I was quoting from I hope it is ok to share it… an awesome reminder for us to slow down and pause. (Click onto the writing in purple or the first line).
On this Thanksgiving day may we be thankful and full of prayer.
One Word 2018 Simplify/2019 Simplify/2020 Rest, 2021/Comfort
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Philipians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. ==================== Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." Courage is not the absence of fear but it's taking action in the midst of it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A diamond is a chunk of coal that made good under pressure.
It's your heart, not the dictionary that gives meaning to your words. Matthew 12:34 (msg) version.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Below you will find a few of my favorite websites or blogs. They have given me encouragement and challenged me on this journey.
Ann Voskamp's blog A holy Experience This image of a bleeding heart represents a journey of healing from brokenness to wholeness. Some of my favorite books: One thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Married over 46 years and entered into my 65th year of life.
I am a mother of two and grandmother of six and mom to two very spoiled kitties. I love to worship and encourage and of course write whenever I can find a topic or subject to share about.
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Thank you for visiting my blog.
I hope you find it encouraging and that it gives you
'Something to think about'. The vision for this is to challenge the reader into a new and different way of thinking. I appreciate and always value your comments. Having others walk alongside and join in the sharing is part of the process.
Thank you for joining me... on this journey. As we get encouraged ~ Lord help us to encourage others. "And the day came when the risk to remain a tight bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin my blog button The crosses are found on a beach at Winema Christian Camp on the Oregon coast.. a place to relax and find God in the process. My favorite place ....to rest and restore my spirit.
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