The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Thursday, 26 December 2013 “The Women of Christmas” Read Luke 1

The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Thursday, 26 December 2013 “The Women of Christmas” Read Luke 1: Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be[a] a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Mary’s Song of Praise

46 And Mary[b] said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

    Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

    and holy is his name.

50 His mercy is for those who fear him

    from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm;

    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

    and lifted up the lowly;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,

    and sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

    in remembrance of his mercy,

55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

    to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Footnotes:

a. Luke 1:45 Or believed, for there will be

b. Luke 1:46 Other ancient authorities read Elizabeth

Mary said: “From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me.”(Luke 1:48-49 (NIV))

As a widow, I struggle after the holidays. The family has been together, and I have stayed up too late and entertained too much. Now I have to go back to work, and the aura of festivity is overtaken by Kentucky’s gray skies. Yet when I read through the Christmas stories again, I find my spirit renewed. In particular, I am struck by the bravery and joy of the women of the Christmas narrative. Upright and devout, Elizabeth had spent a lifetime longing for a child, perhaps wondering if God had forgotten her. Mary, a young girl full of the excitement of new birth and the dedication of her firstborn son, was taken aback by Simeon’s declaration that a sword would pierce her heart. Anna the prophetess, whose marriage ended in her husband’s death after only seven years, had spent the rest of her life serving God in the temple at Jerusalem. And one day, when she was very old, she saw Jesus. These women were the first to really know — firsthand — about the birth of a Savior. These women declared God’s goodness and authority though each had endured the agony of unfulfilled dreams. What examples they are for us in this season! They overcame personal sorrows and received the best gift of all.(The Author-Linda Jeffrey (Kentucky, USA))

Thought for the Day: God sends hope into our unfulfilled dreams.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, this holiday season, draw near to those who are lonely and fill them with your kindness. In our Savior’s name. Amen.

Prayer focus Those alone after Christmas

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