December 22, 2024

Scripture

Luke 1:39-50 Living Bible A few days later Mary hurried to the highlands of Judea to the town where Zacharias lived, to visit Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “You are favored by God above all other women, and your child is destined for God’s mightiest praise. What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! When you came in and greeted me, the instant I heard your voice, my baby moved in me for joy! You believed that God would do what he said; that is why he has given you this wonderful blessing.” Mary responded, “Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation forever shall call me blest of God. For he, the mighty Holy One, has done great things to me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who reverence him.

Reflection

The overwhelming understanding Elizabeth must have experienced when she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She and her husband, Zachariah, had already experienced a miracle as an angel of the Lord came to Zachariah and told him that he and Elizabeth would have a child in their old age, and he would turn many Jews to the Lord God.

Elizabeth was given great wisdom and understanding from God when she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Her baby leapt with joy in the womb at Mary’s arrival. Mary was given this wonderful blessing of being the mother of Christ Jesus because she believed God‘s word.

His mercy goes from generation to generation to all who reverence him. He has kept his promise to Israel to be merciful to them forever.

Prayer

Lord, you have filled us who reverence you and believe your word. Don’t let us falter from it or try to change it, but to just stay in it day and night. You are merciful, loving, and faithful. Help us to be just that back to you, oh Lord. Amen.

Leone Aasen