Countdown to Christmas – Day 2

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 favoured, 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 1:39-56

It was most likely feelings of despair that overtook this young woman when she realized God’s promise of a Messiah would be birthed from her very body; a child raised by her very soul. She was human after all. How would she explain the miracle to those who would condemn her? How would she hide from the mocking and disgrace?

Feelings and emotions are important to the human experience but they can not dictate how we rationalize belief. For the very place where emotion and belief collide is where we will find faith. Though Mary must have felt every anxiety known to man, her belief in a God bigger than she is where faith came in to carry her through. Imagine the holy hosts of heaven in collective suspense as this collide fleshed itself out through the words off Mary’s lips:

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

And with her belief blessing was poured out upon her. A young girl finding herself in the worst predicament of her life simply wouldn’t be able to fathom the legacy to follow on the heels of her obedience. Blessing must first begin with belief.

Belief that we are favoured when we recognize His presence. Belief that He is mindful of us and establishing a legacy through us. Belief that He will do great things for us, and the belief that He is merciful towards us.

Father, may my belief outweigh my blessing. Please help me to know that though my mind and emotions may struggle to understand, your ways are not our ways and your divine plans are always greater than my own. In Jesus name, amen.