Dear Friends,
Last Sunday many churches began the celebration of Advent by lighting the first of five candles in the Advent wreath. In researching Advent, I discovered that the wreath is traditionally made of evergreens, symbolizing eternal life. The circle reminds us of the eternity of God and of his unending love, and the red berries in the wreath remind us it was Jesus sacrifice on the cross that provided the way to eternal life.
The four colored candles in the wreath serve to remind us of four virtues: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace that emanate from a right relationship with God. The fifth candle, a white one, is symbolic of the sinless nature of Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve to remind us of Jesus words, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)
During Advent it is traditional to read sections of the book of Isaiah in which the coming of Christ was foretold. The opening two chapters of Matthew and Luke describe the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus.
When I read Luke’s gospel, I am intrigued by the special relationship between Mary and of Elizabeth. Both women were to give birth to miraculous sons. Elizabeth would be the mother of John the Baptist, and Mary would deliver Jesus to the world.
Elizabeth was the wife of a priest named Zechariah. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. Luke 1:6-7 (NLT)
For a woman in the culture of that day to be childless was considered a curse. Imagine the hope Elizabeth felt when her husband came home speechless after being told by the angel Gabriel that Elizabeth was to have a son … a son who [would be] a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” Luke 1:17
Mary was a teenager, engaged, but not yet married to Joseph. She was a virgin, so she must have been stunned when the angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:30-33
Luke tells us that a few days after Mary received the news from the angel Gabriel, she went to visit her relative Elizabeth (who was now six months pregnant). Mary entered the room and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:41
Did you catch that? Elizabeth’s child leaped within her. Talk about joy!
If they would have had sonograms back then, would the baby in Elizabeth’s womb have been smiling? Did the women giggle as many expectant mothers sometimes do when their baby moves inside them? Did the women talk with one another about their separate encounters with the angel Gabriel? What did it feel like for Elizabeth when she was filled with the Holy Spirit?
I want to know things the Gospel writer was not inspired to share. I want to see Elizabeth and Mary and their unborn sons as real people with real life problems, whose faith in God fit perfectly within His plan of salvation. What can their lives teach us that will help us claim more hope, love, and peace this Christmas season? What can make us leap for joy in the presence of the Lord?
Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1: 42-45
Like Elizabeth and Mary, we need to be open to God’s calling and blessed because we believe God will do what he says he will do.
HOPE: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13
LOVE: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
JOY: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10
PEACE: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 