Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Luke 1:39-45. TEXT: In those days Mary arose and
went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,
and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted
Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-40).

Advent    One of the greatest blessings of the Christmas
season is the chance to visit with friends and family. These
are excellent times to renew old friendships, and bask in
the presence of our loved ones. But we often face an
awkward time when we first meet. Our lives naturally drift
in different directions, and we may find we share less in
common now. Sometimes it's hard to find anything to talk
about. It can all be a little daunting.

Mary may have felt that fear and intimidation standing
before the door of Zechariah's house. Mary knew her
pregnancy was innocent and pure, but would the priest
and his wife believe it? Would they scold her, perhaps,
even reject her?

If she was afraid, God quickly removed that fear. The
instant Mary's greeting reached Elizabeth's ears two things
happened. The Holy Spirit-filled baby growing in Elizabeth's
womb leapt for joy--and the Holy Spirit rushed into
Elizabeth. Instantly, she knew Mary was pregnant, and with
Whom.

"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of
your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother
of my Lord should come to me?"

All awkwardness was gone, and Elizabeth's warm and
enthusiastic greeting was an assurance to Mary.

Do you have travel plans this Christmas? Do you have friends
or family to visit? The thing that made Mary's visit to Zechariah
and Elizabeth so special was the presence of the Christ Child.
Likewise, the thing that will make your Christmas visits so
special is the presence of the Christ Child with you. Be sure
to keep your focus on Him. After all, He is the Reason for the
season!

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, make my Christmas visits joyful and
meaningful as I bring along the Christ who offers us peace, joy
and eternal hope. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

( Wayne Palmer Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Read Psalm 65. TEXT: "Behold, I am the servant of the
Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

Advent   When Mary awoke this morning, she undoubtedly
expected things to go as they always had. Her betrothal
to Joseph would continue; her wedding day would be a day
closer. Things would be as they were yesterday, and
tomorrow will bring more of the same.

She didn't awake thinking an angel would suddenly appear
and that God's plans would shake up her life drastically.
Yet for all that, in simple faith, she willingly casts aside
her plans, eager to serve God's good pleasure.

Sometimes life seems like it's going according to schedule,
cruising along the way we expect. We may have a precise
timeline with all our steps carefully laid out, but suddenly
things change. Health problems arise, jobs are lost, and
friends disappear. It can be frustrating, frightening or
exhilarating. For Mary, this news is life-changing. But the
Holy Spirit has given her faith and confidence to accept
God's changes. He gives us that same trust to believe
that whatever God is doing, He is still working to make
all these things turn for our benefit.

That is precisely what God promises you and me. In
Romans 8:28a He assures us, "We know that for those
who love God all things work together for good ...."

This Christmas is a reminder that God doesn't stand back
and let things go by themselves. We aren't victims of
chance and circumstance; rather, God is carefully
arranging everything for good. This is just as He arranged
everything to send His Son into this world by the
Virgin Mary.

THE PRAYER:

 Heavenly Father, forgive me for questioning and
doubting the wisdom of Your will. Still my heart when
change comes, and give me humble, quiet faith so that I
may serve You in awe and watch Your mighty deliverance.
Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, I pray. Amen.

( Wayne Palmer Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Read Luke 1:34-37. TEXT: And Mary said to the angel,
"How will this be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34).

Advent    When Zechariah received the amazing message
from the angel, he doubted. At first glance, Mary's
response seems to show the same unbelief. But look
closer. She says "How will this be?" In other words,
"How is this going to take place?" She doesn't doubt God
is able to do whatever He wants; she is simply asking
how she will conceive. After all, she is an unmarried virgin.

There can be a fine line between outright unbelief and
honest questions prompted by faith. Zechariah didn't
believe God could do it. Mary trusted He could, but she
simply wanted to know if she should do anything,
perhaps go ahead and marry Joseph early.

We run into similar situations in our lives. There are times
when our resources of time, money, talent or strength
seem far too meager to accomplish the things God has
set before us. Doubt and unbelief make us think God will
fail to accomplish those things in and through us. Faith,
however, believes, and eagerly watches to see how God
will make it all work out.

The angel explains that the Holy Spirit will come and
miraculously work the conception inside her--without a
human father.

That is why the Child will be holy, and called the Son of
God. Then, to give her further reassurance, the angel points
to her relative Elizabeth, who is now in the sixth month of
her impossible pregnancy. He asserts, "For nothing will be
impossible with God."

That's true for you and me as well. Nothing God wants to
do for us will prove too difficult. Nothing is beyond God's
ability to act, to save, to deliver us.

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your promises,
especially that in Jesus Christ, Your Son, You have saved
us from all our sins. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

( Wayne Palmer Lutheran Hour Ministries)