Gospel of Luke 1:39-45
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
Yeah! In little less than a week, Christmas will arrive. No more school until the New Year. No more frantic shopping for perfect gifts. No more crowds to fight or congested traffic to drive through. Most of us will be on vacation and finally able to spend valuable time with our close family and friends. Our lives will slow down a bit (hopefully) as we enjoy delicious food and welcomed company. The Christmas season is definitely a time to leap for joy. Not only are we excited to receive gifts and tokens of affection from loved ones, we celebrate the arrival of Christ our Savior.
Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Elizabeth certainly was! In fact, the infant in her womb leaped with joy at Mary's greeting. Even while only a growing fetus inside the womb, John the Baptist recognized something special and miraculous about the child Mary carried. Elizabeth joyfully proclaimed blessed is the fruit of your womb. Both Elizabeth and her unborn son welcomed Mary with love and awe.
Do you recognize the blessings in your life? Do you leap for joy at good news? Do you listen to the quiet nudging of the Holy Spirit within your heart?
This Christmas is a very special one for my own family. My younger sister is pregnant with her first child. She's in her sixth month which is at about the same gestation period as Elizabeth. I will become a first time aunt. I'm thrilled yet a little nervous at the new responsibility. Since my sister and her husband live in another city, it will be difficult to see my new niece regularly. I think of the long distance traveled between Mary's home and Elizabeth's all by foot. In fact, Mary traveled in haste up to the hill country excited at the wonderful news she was expecting. My sister has traveled a long distance to join the family, too. (Fortunately by air travel...) This weekend we will be giving her a baby shower. Can you imagine if Mary and Elizabeth were given baby showers? How would they react? I'm sure Mary and Elizabeth would act humbly and graciously.
Magnify the Lord Imagine Jesus in Mary's womb the size of a grain of rice. So tiny yet so full of promise. A magnifying glass reveals the intricacies of the Christ child - small nerves and vessels. Only a small lump of tissue that will soon form into human legs, arms, feet, eyes, head, and a nose. Further magnification reveals movement and recognition to stimuli. The miraculous life grows within the womb of beautiful Mary, taking on her physical and behavioral characteristics. Soon Christ will be born, wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger. The prophesies of the old covenant will come to fruition. The Lord, the Messiah, the King of Kings will soon walk on this earth "magnifying" the hearts and minds of all who believe.
During these last few days of Advent, let us shower others with love, warmth, and compassion. Let's be humble in spirit just like Our Blessed Mother and Elizabeth. Let us leap with joy at the birth of the Christ Child.
-J.
P.S. After writing this meditation, a brief poem came to my mind:
Yeah! In little less than a week, Christmas will arrive. No more school until the New Year. No more frantic shopping for perfect gifts. No more crowds to fight or congested traffic to drive through. Most of us will be on vacation and finally able to spend valuable time with our close family and friends. Our lives will slow down a bit (hopefully) as we enjoy delicious food and welcomed company. The Christmas season is definitely a time to leap for joy. Not only are we excited to receive gifts and tokens of affection from loved ones, we celebrate the arrival of Christ our Savior.
Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Elizabeth certainly was! In fact, the infant in her womb leaped with joy at Mary's greeting. Even while only a growing fetus inside the womb, John the Baptist recognized something special and miraculous about the child Mary carried. Elizabeth joyfully proclaimed blessed is the fruit of your womb. Both Elizabeth and her unborn son welcomed Mary with love and awe.
Do you recognize the blessings in your life? Do you leap for joy at good news? Do you listen to the quiet nudging of the Holy Spirit within your heart?
This Christmas is a very special one for my own family. My younger sister is pregnant with her first child. She's in her sixth month which is at about the same gestation period as Elizabeth. I will become a first time aunt. I'm thrilled yet a little nervous at the new responsibility. Since my sister and her husband live in another city, it will be difficult to see my new niece regularly. I think of the long distance traveled between Mary's home and Elizabeth's all by foot. In fact, Mary traveled in haste up to the hill country excited at the wonderful news she was expecting. My sister has traveled a long distance to join the family, too. (Fortunately by air travel...) This weekend we will be giving her a baby shower. Can you imagine if Mary and Elizabeth were given baby showers? How would they react? I'm sure Mary and Elizabeth would act humbly and graciously.
Magnify the Lord Imagine Jesus in Mary's womb the size of a grain of rice. So tiny yet so full of promise. A magnifying glass reveals the intricacies of the Christ child - small nerves and vessels. Only a small lump of tissue that will soon form into human legs, arms, feet, eyes, head, and a nose. Further magnification reveals movement and recognition to stimuli. The miraculous life grows within the womb of beautiful Mary, taking on her physical and behavioral characteristics. Soon Christ will be born, wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger. The prophesies of the old covenant will come to fruition. The Lord, the Messiah, the King of Kings will soon walk on this earth "magnifying" the hearts and minds of all who believe.
During these last few days of Advent, let us shower others with love, warmth, and compassion. Let's be humble in spirit just like Our Blessed Mother and Elizabeth. Let us leap with joy at the birth of the Christ Child.
-J.
P.S. After writing this meditation, a brief poem came to my mind:
Magnify The Lord in everything you do.
Praise The Lord Jesus with your whole being.
Spread the good news to the multitude;
Rely on the Holy Spirit to insight meaning.
Meaning that is personal to a believer's heart.
Never designed to hurt, to bruise or discourage.
Christ loves his children even when they drift apart;
Attracted to worldly riches, power and clout.
Thanks to the Blessed Virgin for saying the glorious"Yes!"
Her model encourages, her humility inspires;
Elizabeth recognized Mary's womb to be truly blessed;
Christ will soon be born, the whole world transpired.
Magnify The Lord in everything you do.
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