advent pregnancy
"Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, uttered this prophecy..." —Luke 1:67
To give birth, a mother must be pregnant for approximately nine months. To give birth this Christmas, a Christian must be filled with Jesus for at least a few weeks. The birth of every creature requires a pregnancy of varying duration. Have you carried the baby long enough? Have you reached full term? How far apart are the contractions? Tomorrow is birth day, Jesus' birthday. Are you ready for birthing?
Zechariah went through the nine-month pregnancy with his wife. It was a difficult pregnancy. He was deaf and dumb, and at the end of nine months was hardly any closer to bringing forth life. Yet finally he obeyed the Lord; "his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed" (Lk 1:64). He gave birth to a prophecy that has echoed throughout the ages: "Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel because He has visited and ransomed His people" (Lk 1:68).
Nathan heard about David's plan of building God a house. He went to sleep that night and woke up laboring to give birth to the greatest prophecy of the old covenant, the establishing of David's house forever (2 Sm 7:16).
You have reached the full term of Advent pregnancy. Expect to go into labor soon and deliver the Word made flesh.
Prayer: Jesus, I can hardly wait for the birth of Your new life. Come, Lord Jesus!
Promise: "He, the Dayspring, shall visit us in His mercy to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." —Lk 1:78-79
Praise: Bad memories haunted Beverly until she remembered to put Christ back in Christmas. He then renewed her mind (Rm 12:2).
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 19, 2005
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