Christmas Countdown...

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas story is in Luke 1:36-56. 
This section is filled with glorious praise scripture or songs that are so moving to me. 


The angel tells Mary that her relative Elizabeth , who is old, is also going to have a child. 
The books I've read say that Elizabeth could have been a cousin or an Aunt. I like to think she was an Aunt. I have two wonderful nieces and I can imagine them coming to find me, and wanting my take on what was happening. 
We see in verse 39 that Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah.
It was not a short trip, we are not told how Mary got there, and Elizabeth was not expecting her.


"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"  exclaimed Elizabeth. 
With Mary's arrival, Elizabeth received special inspiration from the Holy spirit: 
"Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord"  


Wow, now that is a confirmation to Mary...
Isn't God good? He used Mary's aunt Elizabeth to meet her need at the time.
I can imagine how Mary must have been blessed at that moment by the wisdom of her aunt. 


Elizabeth was 6 months with child, just like the angel had said. Her child would be John the Baptist, a prophet, and the forerunner of the Messiah, he would bring the simple message that Jesus is the Christ and that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. 


And then we see Mary break out in praise. This scripture reminds me of the psalms of the old testament. it is called the Magnificat and I love it.   In verses 46-55 Mary praises God, she recognizes her part as the mother of the incarnate Son of God, and she ends with the assurance that God's promise would be fulfilled. 
The Messiah was coming!!!


"My soul magnifies the Lord, 
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden, 
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blesses;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me, 
and holy is his name. 
And his mercy is on those who fear him 
from generation to generation. 
He has shown strength with his arm, 
for he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, 
he has put down the mighty from their thrones, 
and exalted those of low degree; 
he has filled the hungry with good things, 
and the rich he has ent empty away. 
He has helped his servant Israel, 
In remembrance of his mercy, 
as he spoke to our fathers, 
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever" 


Mary stayed with her aunt for 3 more months. I can imagine their time together was a blessing for both. Both of these women were playing a major role in the fulfillment of God's promise to the nation of Israel. 
Both of these women understood with a complete assurance within themselves, 
"That nothing was impossible with God."  Luke 1:37