Week 2 – Christmas Joy!
Christmas is a time of year that brings about a whirlwind of emotions. We often think of loved ones present and past, reminisce about cherished childhood memories, and even reflect on gifts given and received. Regardless of who we are – young or old, rich or poor – Christmas stirs our hearts. But even before the first Christmas, hearts were stirred, perhaps most profoundly by the one who understood it best at the time: Mary. As the very first to celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ, this Christmas we step into her place, into young Mary’s heart, and with wonder and awe, faith, and even joy, we the behold JESUS: the incredible answer the world was longing for.
Just like Mary, we enter this Christmas season with hearts filled with joy for what Jesus has done and will do for us!
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of
my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear himfrom generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm;he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thronesand exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
