Read: Luke 1:67–80 “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.” Luke 1:76 Okay, we can admit this together. During the Christmas season (or any other time of
Read more →Read: Luke 1:57–66 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. Luke 1:64 At last, John is born to Elizabeth, six months before Jesus is born to Mary. Friends and family rejoice for this long-awaited day. Not until
Read more →Read: Luke 1:46–56 “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46–47 Elizabeth has just declared great things for Mary and her baby. In fact, she cries out in a loud voice, shouting this proclamation. Mary responds with an anointed praise of
Read more →Read: Luke 1:39–45 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:41 Elizabeth is six months pregnant when her kinswoman, or relative (Greek word, syngenis, possibly a cousin), Mary, visits her. It is assumed that
Read more →Read: Matthew 1:18–24 “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20b There is something to be said for the repeating stories, miracles, and themes in the Bible.
Read more →People sometimes get so wrapped up in numbers, don’t they? Consider these random “facts” found on the internet (I’m using quotes because we all know that everything on the internet is true, right?). If you have 3 quarters, 4 dimes, and 4 pennies, you have $1.19. You
Read more →Read: Luke 1:26–38 “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” Luke 1:31 Six months after Elizabeth’s long-awaited conception, her relative is visited by the same angel who visited her husband. Mary (Miriam in Hebrew) is a young teenager
Read more →Read: Luke 1:24–25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” Luke 1:25 Zechariah has just blown it, so to speak. In this high and holy moment of divine intervention,
Read more →Read: Luke 1:8–23 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayers have been heard.” Luke 1:13a 400 years. That’s how long it had been since God spoke—at least from the standpoint of biblical writing. Despite the efforts of Nehemiah and other exiles
Read more →Read: Luke 1:5–7 “So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age.” Luke 1:35b–36a Perhaps the most ignored aspect of the Christmas story is the birth of John
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