Abbey Christmas: Joy Week 1 Day 6

Day 6: Joy - John 

Text: Luke 1:44

After Mary discovers she is miraculously pregnant, she travels to visit her elderly relative (probably cousin) Elizabeth, who also happens to be miraculously pregnant.  What a bizarre and marvelous moment in history. Two unlikely mothers, a virgin and a barren old woman, unite together to share with each other the shock and wonder of their world being turned upside down by God’s grace.

As soon as Mary walks through the door and Elizabeth hears her voice, she feels a jolt in her womb.  Elizabeth announces with a loud cry, “The baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Perhaps this is the first occurrence of worship taking place in utero.  John the Baptist, as a fetus, is already leaping with wild and irrepressible joy when he gets in proximity to Jesus.

This gives us a window into what we were designed for - simply to be in the presence of Jesus.  To be with Him, to draw near to Him, to sit at His feet, this is the reason why we are breathing right now.  Even John the Baptist was moved in the core of his soul before he could utter a word, simply because he was in the presence of his maker.

To draw near to Jesus is what we were designed for, but it is rarely what we desire.  In our flesh, we desire to draw near to anything else more readily available and more instantaneously gratifying.  And that’s why the gospel of Christmas is this: Jesus comes near to us. He does for us what we could never do for ourselves; He connects us to Himself.  This is why Jesus is referred to as “Immanuel” - God with us.  

Behold and receive Him!

Reflection

Morning Pause:  What are you going to be tempted to draw near to other than God today?

Afternoon Pause:  By drawing near to us, Jesus opens up a way for us to draw near to Him.  What are some ways that you can draw near to Him today?

Evening Pause:  How did you sense the Lord’s being-with-you today?