“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!’” Luke 1:41-42
Preparing for Christmas means being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Elizabeth, like Mary, was also gifted with a son. Elizabeth’s child was a cousin to Jesus and would be the one who would help prepare the way for the Messiah—John the Baptizer. He was just as unplanned to Elizabeth as Jesus was to Mary. Whereas Mary was a virgin, Elizabeth was too old to have a child. In the case of both boys, God was displaying His miracles one after another.
But Elizabeth’s story is unique. She was giving birth to a son who would lay the foundation for the coming Messiah. When Mary came to visit Elizabeth and heard her welcoming greeting, the baby John leaped in the womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she proclaimed something that only someone filled with God’s Spirit could offer: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
Elizabeth was preparing for the Christ child by giving birth to a son who would, in turn, prepare the way. And being filled with the Spirit was a certain way to be part of fulfilling God’s plan for humanity.
This Christmas, we too can proclaim the goodness of God and the birth of the Messiah. But we can do so only by the indwelling of the Spirit. Just as no one can say “Jesus is Lord” (and truly mean it) except by the Holy Spirit, so too can we proclaim the birth of the Son only through that same Spirit.
Elizabeth was filled by God in order to proclaim for God. We also can be filled when we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior, inviting Him by faith into our hearts. Then we will receive the Holy Spirit for the purpose of glorifying God and living a life that reflects His glory.
Have you been filled with His Spirit? Are you aware of the great gift of God’s love to you this Christmas? Why not turn to Jesus today, trust Him with your life, and receive the Holy Spirit along with the benefits of His grace?
“O Lord God, You are good. Thank You for loving me and for allowing me to walk in newness of life. Come now, Holy Spirit; fill me with power and love. Help me know the truth of Your Word and to walk with You all of my days. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.