2009 Advent Devotional: December 18
December 18th: Luke 1.39-49
Jennifer Redmond
God chose Mary, a woman pure of heart and body, to bear his son. Knowing that his son could not be created through mortal conception, God needed to create a miracle supported by undeniable proof of his ability to create life within a woman – an immaculate conception that would protect the reputation of Mary and God’s son.
To create such proof, God chose Mary’s relative, Elizabeth, who was unable to bear children and was married to Zechariah, a priest advanced in his years. God sent his angel Gabriel to Zechariah to tell him that he and Elizabeth would have a son. Understanding their physical circumstances, Zechariah did not believe the angel – so as a further act of proof, the angel took away Zechariah’s voice, which would not be restored until Elizabeth gave birth.
Elizabeth and Zechariah kept their pregnancy a secret. In Elizabeth’s 6th month, God’s angel came to the Virgin Mary and told her that she had been chosen to bear God’s son. Mary questioned how this could be true since she was a virgin and unmarried. As proof of God’s power to create life within Mary, the angel told Mary about God’s gift to Elizabeth and Zechariah – a miraculous pregnancy that had been kept a secret.
Mary then went to visit Elizabeth to see for herself God’s miracle. When the two women met, Mary saw that Elizabeth was with child. As further proof of God’s power, Elizabeth received the knowledge that Mary was also with child – yet still a virgin. How could Elizabeth know this? Proof once again. Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced in God’s grace for the miracle of life growing within them and for his wisdom to create proof for all generations to celebrate.
God’s awesome power and love for each of us is shown in the miracles of each new day. It is up to us to recognize, accept, and share those miracles by living within his grace.
