Of course, I know it’s Advent. Monday through Friday Becky and I are sharing Daily Prayer Updates about the anticipation and hopes of Christ’s birth. Yet, the words of Mary are in my heart today. “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” Luke 1:46-47

Joy expresses gratitude. It might be in words, or a dance like King David’s in the Bible, often it is in the form of a gift. Joy expresses itself with gratitude. Mary rushed to her Aunt Elizabeth’s home to share her joy. Elizabeth knew when she heard Mary’s voice. Joy overcame her and she spoke with understanding given by the Holy Spirit. “Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, ‘God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.’” Luke 1:42-45

Elizabeth’s joy was a gift of encouragement to young Mary, especially in those days. To know that Aunt Elizabeth recognized that God had finally fulfilled His Word, that the Messiah was to be born of the virgin. More often than not people like Elizabeth who had her own miracle from God recognize the invisible hand of God at work sooner than those who have never needed a miracle. Even faithful Joseph didn’t receive the news of the divine conception this well. It took an angel to convince him.

Now the application for today. Do you find joy in Christ? Do you find joy in the anticipation of Advent? Who can you share joy with today? A call, a card, a gift, a helping hand perhaps might be the miracle that God will use you to accomplish in someone’s life today! I love you much!

Peace!