“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!” (Luke 1:41-42 NIV)
The Christmas season is always a wonderful time of joy with friends, family, and festivities. Christmas carols playing on the radio or an iPod. Most places we go, someone greets us with, “Merry Christmas!” It truly is “a most wonderful time of the year.”
On the other hand, some folks seem to miss the spirit of the season. Their attitudes are as frigid as an Arctic blast. Unfortunately, the sun doesn’t pierce the gray days of their lives. Give them all the chocolate and peppermint sticks in the candy department; wish them all the best of Christmas blessings; but they still collapse under their broodings of troubles and problems.
Even the fetus in Elizabeth’s womb moved in joy at Mary’s greeting to Elizabeth. And the joy spread to Elizabeth as she let the Holy Spirit speak blessings through her. If only we Christians would reject the scrooge attitude and allow the spirit of Christmas to control us! What might occur in our families? What impact would a joyous blessings make on others who wish us a Merry Christmas?
Consider the ramifications of this miraculous event. A fetus was so in tune with the Holy Spirit that he could know the voice of the Savior’s mother. Fantastic! Utterly miraculous! Instead of Elizabeth stopping and saying, “Oh, I just felt the baby move,” she joined her own baby in praising God and blessing Mary and Mary’s unborn child.
Christmas is a season when we can freely greet anyone and everyone we meet, whether we are acquainted with them or not. What a great way to spread some Christmas cheer! Happy holidays . . . falls flat. Best wishes . . . nope, doesn’t do it either. No other greeting will cheer people like this one: Merry Christmas!
Dear Father, thank you for the glad tidings of great joy that you gave to us on Christmas day. Empower us with a joyful spirit and attitude that we might share it with others. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today with the Christmas spirit,