Luke 1:39-45 Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.”
Remember yesterday’s passage. Mary just heard she would be the mother of the Son of God and she accepted. Now, she is off to be with people who she may believe to give her peace and walk with her on this journey she is beginning. Mary went to trusted people.
When you have good news (or need to sort out your thoughts) who do you go to? We tend to want to work through ideas and things on our own and privately; but we can get an even greater realization and understanding if we go to people we can trust. Sometimes, the people we go to will even have a word from God to help us, encourage us. We all need encouragers. Life is not always easy and we need to confidence of having people we can trust and go to.
This Advent season, as we are preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ, we are encouraged and invited to be around people we trust and friends who will be there for us (like Elizabeth was for Mary and vise versa).
Almighty and gracious God. Thank you for the people you place in our lives to help us work through life and hear from you. Guide us as we prepare our hearts, and help us be encouragers and be encouraged about the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
R Y A N S T R A T T O N 