Mary Visits Elizabeth
Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:39-45)
Happiness is good, and should be expressed at Christmas. Today we are often reminded that at this time of the year are are those who find Christmas is anything but joyous, and it is good to remember that, and yet this should not diminish the happiness and joy that is a gift to us at this special time of the year.
You can almost picture the scene from these verses above, such is the expression of joy to be found in them. Elizabeth declared that Mary is doubly blessed because she believed. This double blessing upon her and the One she carried in her womb. The source of great happiness, with laughter springing out from the filling of the Holy Spirit as the babe in Elizabeth’s womb jumped at the coming of the Lord.
The expression of sheer joy and laughter we see as children unwrap presents, tearing away at the pretty camouflage to reveal their anticipated gift, should give us some insight to the joy. For in a child like manner we are to be in our faith, and our belief in Christ. Such joy expressed by Elizabeth and Mary as they meet.
Happy are the people who are in such a state;
Happy are the people whose God is the Lord! (Psalms 144:15)
Happy and doubly blessed are we to be also as we believe in Christ. Such joy birthed by the Holy Spirit as He is abides in us as we believe in Jesus, and flowing abundantly as we receive His infilling..an ongoing move of God. In some ways the blessing of Elizabeth over Mary also applies to us. Sure we are not pregnant with the Christ child, but as we believe Scripture tells us He makes His home in us by His Spirit, we are born again, the river of life flows from within us. So we are blessed, and so is the One we carry.
It is the presence of God in us that is such a blessing, and this presence also brings blessing to our lives. The abundant life of Christ is ours, and the joy of eternal happiness should spill in to our lives, and see laughter and peace. Spiritual and physical blessings come from this presence of God.
So go ahead laugh, especially this Christmas, it is a gift of God and brings healing. Enjoy the moment. And remember, the blessing will be multiplied even the more when Christ comes again, not only because of His triumph over evil and the restoration of His saints, but also due to the manifest presence of God, in Christ on earth, meeting with Him in us, and the joy inexpressible this brings God’s heart. Let this knowledge birth forth in us, and see happiness touch us and those around. Let us allow the Spirit of God in us to flow out in expressions of happiness.
And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Then Leah said, “I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.” So she called his name Asher. (Genesis 30:12-13)
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