ZPCBlog

About the author: Ann has attended ZPC for the past 8 years since moving to Indy with her husband, Mike. She is a newly elected Deacon, has served on Great Banquet and on an Usher Team, has provided childcare for MOPS, and helped serve meals at ZPC and Str8up. Her hobby is making jewelry but she especially enjoys using her talents for helping others, such as making face masks for the Food Pantry recipients and has recently started knitting hats for the homeless. She is active in Home Group and Women’s Bible studies. Ann and Mike have a married son and 2 grandsons in St. Louis and a married son in Colorado. 

Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Today’s scripture is a familiar story of the Virgin Mary going to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Both women were expecting a miraculous birth. I love this story as it reminds me of of my own blessing to be able to carry, give birth to, and raise our 2 sons.

Elizabeth waited many years to be blessed with a child. My three unsuccessful years of trying to conceive caused me also to question if I would ever have my lifelong dream of becoming a mother. But God’s timing is PERFECT! One month after completing my final class of Graduate school, to our joy, our first son was born. We gave him the name Matthew which means “gift of God.” Two years later, on December 13, we were blessed and joyful for a second time when our son, Brooks, was born.

Mary and Elizabeth, both first time mothers, were filled with joy knowing their children would be very special— a fulfillment of God’s plan. Even the yet to be born John the Baptist was filled with a joyous Spirit, causing him to leap in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary greeted her.

God chose Mary to bring Jesus into the world to be our Savior. God chose Elizabeth to bring John the Baptist into the world to prepare the way for the Messiah. God has chosen each of us to share our joy of being loved by him and to spread the Good News of his plan for reconciliation, redemption, and salvation through the sacrifice of his Son.

Activity:

The holidays are often a time for benevolences. Are there opportunities throughout the year where you can be a blessing to others by bringing joy to them? Consider acts of kindness to friends, family, and strangers to share the love of Christ.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
As we remember what you accomplished through Mary and Elizabeth, help us to remember that we are also a part of your holy plan. Let us be thankful for all the ways you have blessed us. Through your Holy Spirit, fill us with “an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8-9) and a constant faith.
In Your Holy Name, Amen.

Share