Advent|Dec.9th ~ Celebrating our Rescuer's Coming!

Sarah & I would like to share with you one of our "first" traditions (if we can call it a tradition yet). We decided to get an Advent calendar for our Christmas season! 1. Because I don't remember the last time I ever went through an Advent calendar 2. Because it's cool and we live in Seattle 3. Because it's biblical (thought I should add this one). We are celebrating Advent, because the word means "coming," and reminds Sarah & I of the best "coming" there ever was! The arrival of our Rescuer, Jesus Christ!

December 9th! Day 9!

It's always the highlight of our day right now for Sarah and I to take a break, sit down and read the story of Christ's birth. Today's reading came out of Luke 1:39-45

"...'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!...And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.'" (vv. 42, 45)

It was one thing in that day and age to be called blessed from the Lord, and it was an entirely other thing for a woman to receive that kind of honor. Women were not honored in that culture, not considered of much importance at all. Jewish laws insisted they had to stay close to their husbands and close to their homes at all times. If they were to venture out into the public or to worship centers, they were called to wear a veil, showing their status to be below that of men. They were considered to be 'second-rate' worshipers, barely more important than the household servant.

But in this account written by Luke, both Elizabeth and Mary take center stage. Both of these women play some of the more important roles in all of Scripture. Elizabeth gives birth to John the Baptist, the prophesied forerunner and herald to the Son of God, Jesus. And God chooses Mary, this teenage girl, to be the mother of the Son of God! I don't think you could figure out a way to show more honor to women than this!

So yes, blessed is she who believed! Blessed are all who believe. Not because of how amazing the person is who believes, but because God has given His grace and His power to those who do believe! This, too, is amazing. Mary knew that people would start asking questions, they would start looking down on her, gossiping about her, creating stories that were not true. But none of that would deter her from obeying the word of the Lord. She welcomed His will instead of wishing some other girl was picked. Of course this woman should have been honored! Blessed among woman she was, and God let her know His favor was upon her through the words of Elizabeth.

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord, 

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. 

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;"
Luke 1:47-48

John 1:12 "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God,..."