Holiday Prayers

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Luke 1:39-45

Wow! What an amazing meeting between two women whom the Lord was using! Earlier in Luke, we can read about angels appearing to both women’s families to announce their pregnancies. Both were susceptible to the temptations of stress, fear, or worry, especially considering Elizabeth’s age (geriatric pregnancy), yet she is filled with joy and humbled favor for what God had done and was doing through the birth of our Lord.

During Christmas season, we can easily get caught up in comparison, envy, stressing over details to impress others, or even jealousy. Verse 45 reminds us that God is faithful; He is not a God of broken promises, but He fulfills his promises. Perhaps you have an unanswered prayer on your mind this Christmas season and hearing about fulfilled promises is difficult. I encourage you to lean on the promise of His faithfulness, look at how He has shown goodness to your family, and celebrate our Lord!

What thoughts or feelings are preventing you from undeniable faith and praise of our Savior this season, as demonstrated by Elizabeth?

How has the Lord been faithful to you and your family this year?

Are there opportunities for you to repent for pride or lack of faith?

Taylor Newton