Pause for Advent


Luke 1:39–45
39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”



Honestly, I need a break from Exodus. And so today we will take a departure and pay attention to the season of the church year – Advent. A week from today will be Christmas Eve – the big celebration will be here in earnest. But culturally (and sadly) we skip over Advent. For most people it’s all about getting to Christmas. The weather isn’t cooperating with the calendar so it really doesn’t seem much like December in my part of the world. It’s difficult to wrap my head around the fact that Christmas is almost here. But it’s not here yet – it is still the season of Advent. This is an amazing time of reflection, preparation, and meditation. This weekend we will arrive at the final Sunday of Advent and light that last blue (or purple) candle. The reading for today comes from the Gospel reading for this Sunday where Mary goes to visit her also miraculously pregnant cousin Elizabeth, who is carrying the soon to be born John the Baptist. What transpires cannot be skipped over lightly for this is a true miracle.



When Mary enters the room, the baby within Elizabeth leaps for joy because somehow (!) he knows he is in the presence of the Messiah! The Kingdom of God is at hand. I’ve been hearing a song on the radio for that last few weeks that really captures this idea. I’ve given you a link below and I would highly recommend you give it a listen. The hook line is “Everywhere the King is there is the Kingdom!”



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQR0bd1BhbA

I just love that little bit of truth. Wherever God shows up, His kingdom is at hand. This is what the pre-born John was celebrating when he meets the pre-born Jesus. He already knew he was in the presence of the King. We too walk daily in the presence of a Holy God. As we prepare our hearts to remember the birth of the Messiah, let’s take a moment to reflect on the miracle that was the incarnation of God with us.


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