December 18, 2007

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 what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"  Luke 1:39-45

Christ’s presence in Mary’s womb caused the life in Elizabeth to leap with joy. As the Christ in us grows, others will notice and their spirit will be stirred inside. Wherever Jesus traveled, a crowd always gathered around Him. The scriptures also say over and over that the people were amazed. People noticed a difference in Jesus. They were drawn to Him. They wanted to see Him, hear Him, touch Him, and follow Him. There was something about Him that caused their spirits to leap inside. Through Christ, God is revealed. It is important to note that Jesus often retreated from the crowds to spend time alone with his heavenly Father.

Spending time alone with our heavenly Father is essential for our spiritual growth. It is during that communion, that Christ’s character in us is developed. In an intimate relationship with God, we experience who God is. We receive first hand His love, His mercy, His grace, and His forgiveness. We begin to lay aside our ways and our rights. Instead we begin to seek His discipline, His ways, and His face. It is then that the world begins to see more of Him and less of us. It is then that God can be revealed through us. People notice a difference in us and are amazed.

When others are with you, does their spirit leap inside as the life in Elizabeth did?

Dear precious heavenly Father, I want my life to reveal Your glory. Mold me into Your likeness, so that others see Christ instead of me this Christmas season. Let Your Life in me cause the Spirit in others to leap with joy.

Janet Fairbrother

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