From Advent Conspiracy ... "Daily Advent Devotionals, Day 10"

Daily Advent Devotionals, Day 10

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah 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. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
Luke 1:39-45

It is exciting when you find out that you’re going to have a child. You start thinking about who you are going to tell and when you are going to tell them. In today’s culture many parents wait a number of weeks before sharing this news with others. For our family, my wife usually tells her parents first.

Now imagine young Mary. The angel Gabriel has told her that she is going to bring the Son of God into the world. Will she wait for a few months before she will tell anyone her news? Can she keep this a secret? How long will she wait?

“A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea.” (Luke 1:39)

Where would she go? Who will she tell? Who would believe her? Who would understand her? Elizabeth. She would go to a relative, Elizabeth, who “has become pregnant in her old age.” (vs. 36) Of course, Elizabeth would understand Mary because God has just given her a miraculous child at an old age. Elizabeth was carrying the child that would herald the King and Mary is carrying the King.

Will you keep Jesus and what He has done in your life a secret this year? How can you begin to share this good news with others?

Reflect

Will you keep Jesus and what He has done in your life a secret this year? How can you begin to share this good news with others?

Pray

Jesus,

Thank you for coming as a baby into this world and we look forward to Your second coming as a King.

Amen.

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Advent Conspiracy was founded on the radical idea that we can celebrate Christmas humbly, beautifully, and generously. Advent is the story of a wondrous moment when God entered our world to make things right. It is the greatest story ever told and it changes everything — including the way we celebrate Christmas.

Be part of a different story this Christmas, one that celebrates our King and brings hope to a watching world ...

• Worship Fully
• Spend Less
• Give More
• Love All

... and join the groundswell of Christ-followers who are choosing to make Christmas what it should be—a joyous celebration of Jesus’ birth that enriches our hearts and the world around us.