At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:39-45 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, I’ve raced by this part of your nativity story too quickly, for it is pregnant with encouragement—quite literally. The image of John the Baptist leaping for joy in Elizabeth’s womb, just because he was in close proximity to you, while you were in Mary’s womb, reminds me of another part of your story, thirty-three years later.
On the night of your betrayal and arrest, just before going to the cross, you asked the Father to grant us the fullness of your joy (John 17:13). What a holy paradox, as you faced your greatest suffering, you prayed for the increase of our joy. Thank you.
And the good news is this: nothing in my world has to change, and nobody has to be any different, for this prayer to be answered. I don’t need a different story, less suffering, or more guarantees; I don’t need a different personality type, cooler church, or better health; or live in a different era, body, or a different house. The joy you give transcends (and transforms) tears, circumstances, and heartaches.
Jesus, throughout Advent, I want to worship more than I whine, and show more gratitude than grumbling. Just knowing you makes me a man of incalculable riches. For “I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Who do I have in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but you are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:23-26) So very Amen I pray, in your near and joy-full name.