I have been writing a series of short meditations for my church to prepare for the coming Christmas. I have called them the "A-Z Guide to Advent 2009." My first meditation, entitled A=Advent, was released in 30 Nov 2009. The last one, Z will be published on Christmas Day. This is today's meditation on E. If you want to get a daily dose of advent meditations until Christmas, send me an email.
An A-Z Guide to Advent 2009 (04 Dec 2009)
E - Elizabeth
"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit." (Lk 1:41)
We do not hear about Elizabeth often in the pulpit. A mother of John the Baptist, she met the mother carrying baby Jesus. Not only did baby John felt the presence, Elizabeth too was filled with the Holy Spirit. Before the Great Pentecost event in Acts, Elizabeth has already witnessed a mini-Pentecost. Elizabeth and Mary felt a close connection. So did the babies in their wombs.
Sometimes I wonder what is the author of Luke trying to do, putting Elizabeth and Mary side by side. Perhaps, there is a parallel for us to learn from. Perhaps, it is giving us mere humans ample notice to recognize that Jesus, even when he is God, chooses to be fully human. Even though he is rich, he chooses to become poor. Even though he is Almighty Powerful, he chooses to come in a humbleness that identifies with the fragile human race. Elizabeth, being blessed so early shows us the bountiful blessings of the time to come. Elizabeth was blessed to praise God as she felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. Certainly, we too will be richly blessed, as we come under the shadow of the Almighty, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
written by: conrade yap
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