December Devotions and Doodles – Day 7 (December 7)
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:39-45
39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed! 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”
December 7 Devotional: Joyful Friendship
Even though the season is really busy, Christmas is a time when friends get together. Christmas parties, office parties, shopping trips with stops for lunch or coffee together, cookie baking, special meals, church services, and more draw us into community with other people during the holidays.
Cousins and Friends
I think it is very appropriate to read this short passage of scripture during this season where we see two cousins (who also seem to be friends) getting together. Mary (Pregnant with Jesus) goes to see her older cousin Elizabeth (Pregnant with John the Baptist).
Family and Friend Reactions
Now, we all know how this could have gone down. Elizabeth is a devout Jew and her husband is serving as a priest in the temple. Here is her young, unmarried cousin who shows up pregnant at her door. She could have been all judgy and condemned Mary’s seeming sin.
But in this moment, the Bible says that Elizabeth is filled with Holy Spirit and she knows just what to say.
“Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed! 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”
The Baby Leaped for Joy
Even while He is still in the womb, Jesus has a definite impact on His surroundings. When Mary (and the Baby Jesus inside her) enter Elizabeth’s house, Elizabeth’s own unborn child leaps for joy. Her baby is the prophesied messenger who will prepare the way before the Messiah. He recognizes His Messiah even before birth.
Elizabeth Speaks Truth and Encouragement
In that moment when the Holy Spirit fills Elizabeth, she says something really remarkable:
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”
The Holy Spirit reveals to Elizabeth that Mary believed God’s message and accepted it. She believed would not do something halfway, but would fulfill all that was spoken to her.
Wow! What a joy-filled friendship! Where two women visit and speak what the Holy Spirit leads them to say. Two women of God following His lead and believing that He will complete everything He has started in them.
December 7 – Action Step:
What about you today (December 7)?
Do you need an Elizabeth friend? Is there something in your life where you need an Elizabeth to speak to you? Have you given up on the word of God for your life right now? Or do you believe that He will fulfill all that He has spoken to you?
Let me be that Elizabeth in your life right now: God will not leave you hanging. Sometimes His timing is not our timing, but He will complete all He has started in you. Your life has a plan and a purpose and when the difficult times come, God is right there with us to travel through them to the other side.
Is it time to be an Elizabeth friend to someone else? When I ask that, does someone come to mind that you need to encourage today? Reach out right now. Call or text or send a video chat or an email or get together for some Christmas cocoa and cookies. Let the Holy Spirit speak through you to encourage your friends and family.
Prayer:
Dear God, Help us to build Mary and Elizabeth type friendships. It might be with a family member or co-worker or mentor. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and inspire us to speak joy and truth and encouragement to others in our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Drawing Tutorial – December 7: How to Draw Christmas Cocoa
Christmas cocoa makes me think of two friends getting together to visit and enjoy holiday goodies!
- Draw two parallel vertical lines and connect the bottom with a curved line.
- Add a curved line at the top that is parallel to the bottom.
- On the side, make a small rounded/flattened triangle and then draw a larger one on the outside of the smaller one. (see picture)
- Add a foamy top by overlapping curved lines that slope inward and upward, ending with a point at the top.
- Finish off with a cinnamon stick or peppermint stick sticking out of the foam.
Click here to check out other posts in this series: December Devotions and Doodles!