As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, I invite you to come along with me on an imagined trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem where the Savior was born. I pray the Christmas story, retold in this way, will fill your heart with fresh and spiritual awe, as we re-live the events that culminated in the birth of the God-child in the manger – our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. In response, let your true spiritual worship flow to Him who deserves it all.

“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy” (Lk. 1:44)

It was early Monday morning, the day after she received a strange and life-changing visitation from a very unlikely source. She was still processing the angel’s message as she lay in bed. The night was long after the event. Was it real or a dream? Excitement and wonder mixed in her mind. What will people say when the pregnancy shows? How about Joseph? Will he believe her? Wouldn’t he consider her an adulterer and deliver her to the elders to be disciplined according to the Law of Moses? The news about her auntie Elizabeth’s pregnancy intrigued her too, and she couldn’t wait to visit her. What an encouragement that would be to see her old auntie in her sixth month of pregnancy.

            With those thoughts on her mind, she hurried to prepare for a journey to the countryside. She couldn’t speak to anyone about the angelic visitation. The lid must be kept tight until things were cleared overwhelmed her mind. She had to come up with a tangible excuse for the journey to her auntie without raising any suspicions. Mom and dad were not a problem, but what about Joseph, her fiancé? He was a jealous old lover. It’s possible he may decide to accompany her for safety reasons. Bandit attacks were rampant on those rugged, winding roads in the region.

“Mary where are you,’ Joseph said. “Daniel promised payment for the land I sold to him on Friday, so I have to leave for Hebron tomorrow. Why don’t you come along with me? You could surprise your auntie Elizabeth in Ein Karem, since it’s on my way.” Mary’s jaw dropped. She embraced Joseph so tightly, he struggled for breath.. He was surprised by her joy and her kiss on his balding head. With her parents’ permission, they set off the following day in a caravan of other travelers.

The providential hand of God was working, and Mary smiled in her heart.

Zechariah was committed to Elizabeth’s privacy, but Mary was no stranger. He led Mary to Elizabeth and what happened next was to remain with her forever – an experience of immense importance she would treasure for the rest of her life. As soon as she heard Mary’s greetings, she felt a strange movement in her womb. The baby had kicked many times before, but this one was different. Elizabeth sensed her baby’s supernatural recognition of Mary as he leaped for joy in her womb. Instantly, the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth and moved her into the prophetic realm. She was an ordinary wife of an old priest and had never claimed the prophetic unction. But moved by the Holy Spirit, her heart warmed, and her mouth opened to a prophetic song Mary needed to hear as confirmation of Gabriel’s message.

“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 the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:42-45)

What further evidence could Mary expect? The old lady was pregnant, just as the angel had told her. Her auntie’s prophetic utterance confirmed her appointment as the mother of the long-expected Messiah. Joy filled her heart, and with inspired gratefulness, she sang to the Lord.

“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.” (46-55)

Old Zechariah stood by and watched the two women, overwhelmed by their emotional expressions, prophetic utterances, and the spiritual significance of their meeting. He was under divine judgment for unbelief, and could not speak a word in response. With his heart exuding with joy, tears welled up in his eyes as he watched the two women locked in a long, warm embrace. The old generation embraced the young in Elizabeth and Mary under those extraordinary circumstances, as God prepared to bring His Son into the world to save mankind.

But, was Israel prepared to meet her King? Were the people prepared for the Messiah they had long expected? Was the world prepared for the Savior? Above all, are you prepared to meet Immanuel this Christmas?

Shalom