Dear Friends,
The lead up to the birth of Jesus is alive with the sound of praise. There is great joy experienced by both Elizabeth and Mary. Elizabeth is full of praise because she sees God’s kindness in allowing her to come in contact with the mother of the Lord and Mary is full of praise because God has granted her the privilege of carrying Jesus in her womb. God is also kind to Mary by providing Elizabeth to share the good news of the coming of the Saviour of the world – 1:36,43. When Mary reaches Elizabeth’s house and greets Elizabeth she is filled with the Holy Spirit and this brings understanding that Mary has the Christ child. We cannot underestimate how important it was for Mary to be able to share with Elizabeth. This story reminds us that good news is for sharing and this is the basis of our joy as we celebrate together what Christ has done. Christian joy is not based on how we feel but is based on the facts and truth of what God has done in sending the Saviour of the world to us. As we mature in Christ we learn to rejoice and praise God for what He has done in dying for our sin. This is not to deny pain and difficulties but we recognize that God has entered this world to deal with sin. His death on the Cross brings forgiveness but Mary’s song also reminds us that God will scatter the proud and lift up the humble. So often in life we can struggle with events where there is great injustice and even evil but Mary’s song says that at the last God will reverse this and His justice will be done. One of the great requirements of faith is the willingness to be patient and wait for God’s timing. We must trust God that when injustice seems to reign there will come a day when it is dealt with totally and finally and that will be accomplished at the second coming of Jesus. In the meantime we must choose to wait patiently and give the Lord our burdens. We cannot carry pain and hurt and fear ourselves and that is why the Word of God says cast all your cares on the Lord for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7. Continue Reading..