What Love Is - A Study of 1 Corinthians 13

    In this world of sin and lawlessness, we have little to no understanding of what love really is. Everyone has an idea of what love means to them, but seldom do you find real love, as portrayed in the Bible.

In order to truly understand love we must turn to the Bible where we find it’s source - it’s beginning and it’s meaning.

1 Corinthians 12:4-5 and 31

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

    1 Corinthians 13 then tells us what love is, and what it does.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

    Fine speech without love is like sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal - a loud noise.  We listen to speakers, and often can tell their motives by their speech.  When we can speak very well it can become a point of pride for us, where we think of gaining glory for ourselves by our fine speech. We’re not seen as loving. Our pride speaks louder than our words. We are as a sounding brass or tinkling cymbal.  

     When we use our gift of excellent speech as a way to minister to others - not thinking of ourselves, but the good of others - we’re said to be loving.  Why is that? Because love is not selfish.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

    Prophecy, understanding mysteries, knowing a lot, and having faith enough to move mountains - without love, becomes a point of pride - or selfishness .  As we know from Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” and we then come to nothing,  and when things are done out of pride rather than love, they don’t do good for anyone else either.

 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

    Again, providing for the poor can become a point of pride. Giving our bodies to be burned, when not done out of love for God or others, is utterly useless - it’s of no profit to us or anyone else.

    To love is to keep the commandments, which is possible only when actively seeking the Kingdom.

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.

Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Matthew 5:19

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

    What then is love, if it is of such importance?

    In this passage we simply learn what love is. Love for God and love for our neighbor is defined the same - If we love God, we will love our neighbor.  

Charity suffereth long, and is kind ; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Suffereth (3114 G) long (3114 G) = Is forbearing, patient, long-spirited, patiently endures.

Patience = (Websters 1828) To suffer. The primary sense is continuance, holding out, from extending.

The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness. Patience may spring from constitutional fortitude, from a kind of heroic pride, or from Christian submission to the divine will.

A calm temper which bears evils without murmuring or discontent.

The act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good without discontent.

Perseverance; constancy in labor or exertion.

The quality of bearing offenses and injuries without anger or revenge.

Is kind = (Websters 1828) Good will; benevolence; that temper or disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others, which is exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their wants or alleviating their distresses; benignity of nature. Kindness ever accompanies love.

Act of good will; beneficence; any act of benevolence which promotes the happiness or welfare of others. Charity, hospitality, attentions to the wants of others, ect., are deemed acts of kindness, or kindnesses.

Envieth not  = (Websters 1828) Pain, uneasiness, mortification or discontent excited by the sight of another’s superiority or success, accompanied with some degree of hatred or malignity, and often or usually with a desire or an effort to depreciate the person, and with pleasure in seeing him depressed.  Envy springs from pride, ambition or love, mortified that another has obtained what one has a strong desire to possess.

Rivalry; competition.

Malice; malignity.

Public odium; ill repute; invidiousness.

Invidiousness = The quality of provoking envy or hatred.

Vaunteth (4068 G) not itself = Doesn’t brag.

Is not puffed up = Isn’t prideful.

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Unseemly  (Websters 1828) = Not fit or becoming; uncomely; unbecoming; indecent.

Seeketh (2212 G) not her own (1438 G) = Doesn’t worship, plot against, desire nor require means for self.

Is not easily provoked  (Websters 1828) = Excited; roused; incited; made angry; incensed.

Thinketh (3049 G) no evil = Doesn’t invent, or keep inventory of evil. Doesn’t despise. Doesn’t suppose, impute or think on, evil. Doesn’t think worthless thoughts.

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Iniquity (93 G) = Injustice. Moral wrongfulness of character, life, or act. Unrighteousness. Wrong.

Truth (Websters 1828) = Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. The truth of history constitutes its whole value. We rely on the truth of the scriptural prophecies.

True state of facts or things. The duty of a court of justice is to discover the truth. Witnesses are sworn to declare the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Conformity of words to thoughts, which is called moral truth.

Veracity; purity from falsehood; practice of speaking truth; habitual disposition to speak truth; as when we say, a man is a man of truth.

Correct opinion.

Fidelity; constancy.

Honesty; virtue.

Exactness; conformity to rule.

Real fact or just principle; real state of things.  There are innumerable truths with which we are not acquainted.

Sincerity.

The truth of God, is His veracity and faithfulness. Or His revealed will.

Jesus Christ is called the truth.

It is sometimes used by way of concession.

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Beareth (Websters 1828)  all things = To support’ to sustain; as, to bear a weight or burden.

To carry; to convey; to support and remove from place to place; as, “they bear him upon the shoulder;” “the eagle beareth them on her wings.”

To wear; to bear as a mark of authority or distinction; as, to bear a sword, a badge, a name, to bear arms in a coat.

To support or sustain without sinking or yielding; to endure; as, a man can bear severe pain or calamity; or to sustain with proportionate strength, and without injury; as, a man may bear stronger food or drink.

To entertain; to carry in the mind; as, to bear a great love for a friend; to bear inveterate hatred to gaming.

To suffer; to undergo; as, to bear punishment.

To suffer without resentment, or interference to prevent; to have patience; as, to bear neglect or indignities.

To admit or be capable of; that is, to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change; as, to give words the most favorable interpretation they will bear.

To bring forth or produce, as the fruit of plants, or the young of animals; as, to bear apples; to bear children.

To possess and use as power; to exercise; as, to bear sway.

To gain or win.

To sustain the effect, or be answerable for; as, to bear the blame.

To be the object of.

To behave; to act in any character; as, “hath he borne himself penitent?”

To remove, or to endure the effects of; and hence to give satisfaction for.

Believeth (Websters 1828) all things = To credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of something upon the declaration of another, or upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by other circumstances, than personal knowledge.  

When we believe the authority of another, we always put confidence in his veracity. When we believe upon the authority of reasoning, arguments, or a concurrence of facts and circumstances, we rest our conclusions upon their strength or probability, their agreement with our own experience, &c.

To expect or hope with confidence; to trust.

Hopeth (Websters 1828) all things  = A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable.  Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it.  Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.

Confidence in a future event; the highest degree of well founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on God’s gracious promises; a scriptural sense.

That which gives hope; he or that which furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good.  The hope of Israel is the Messiah.

An opinion or belief not amounting to certainty, but grounded on substantial evidence. The Christian indulges a hope, that his sins are pardoned.

To cherish a desire of good, with some expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable.

To place confidence in; to trust in with confident expectation of good.

Endureth (5278 G) all things = Stays under. Remains. Will undergo. Bears trials. Has fortitude. Perseveres. Abides. Has patience. Will stay behind.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Never faileth (1601 G) = Never drops away. Is never driven out of course. Doesn’t become inefficient, or ineffective. Cannot be cast off.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

    Prophecy, fine speech and knowledge without love will all one day be gone. Love is what makes all those things of any importance, and what makes them last.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Childish (Websters 1828) = Belonging to a child; trifling; puerile.

Pertaining to a child; as childish years or age; childish sports

Pertaining to children; ignorant; silly; weak; as childish fear.

Puerile = Boyish; childish; trifling; as a puerile amusement.

    Being foolish, silly and weak Christians is shirking our duty to be responsible, mature, sons of God.  We cannot be mature and responsible without knowledge of God and His ways.  If we aren’t responsible, we can’t truly love others as God tells us to

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

    We can’t know, or see things perfectly here on earth. We will see our own faults, as well as those of others; but with God’s help we can know how to act in love, and be a minister of Christ to others.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Isaiah 40:28

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding.

    Love abides - is lasting - because God is everlasting, and He is love.

1 John 4:8

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

The Grass Of The Field

 Grass: It grows everywhere.   We use it to feed our animals; to help stop erosion; to make our lawns pretty.  It's something soft to walk on.  It's pretty.

 Ever think about how the grass grows?   

 We walk on it.  Yet it springs back and still grows....
 We cut it continually.  Yet it grows...
 The wild winds blow over it and lay it flat. Yet it stands up tall again as if nothing happened...
 The wild fires burn it.  Yet it always grows back... grows better, and greener...

 When we walk on it, it gets crushed flat.  Goodness, can you imagine the weight issue there? It's so much smaller than us.  When it gets crushed, I mean, it's crushed.  But it always comes up again...

 So should we when trials come.  We get crushed flat... but God still wants us to grow.  We still have to spring back, and keep growing.

 We cut the grass... the tips we cut off go down by the roots and go back into the soil.  The nutrients that went into the tips now go back into the soil, and make growing conditions better.   But that's not to say getting cut so often doesn't hurt...

 God is always having to cut off our "tips" so we'll grow right. So we'll be fit for His purpose.  It hurts!! But it has to be done.  Those things help us to grow in Him.

 The wild winds blow over the grass... yet after each gust, it stands up tall again. Just to be knocked over with the next... The wind lays it flat.  Sometimes even cracks it off at the base.  But what's left always stands back up...   Some stems stand tall no matter how hard the blast... they just stand there and quiver.   
 There is no protection from the wind when it's out on the prairie.  It stands fully exposed.  When the wind hits it, over it goes... but it never stays over.  Never.

 When the winds of sorrow, and trouble sweep over us, we're laid flat.  It looks like the end... but through God's strength we can stand up tall again, and glorify Him.
 Whatever gets cracked off was meant to be. It wasn't good for that to stay. It hurts! But what's left of us needs to pick ourselves back out of the dirt, and praise Him anyway.

 Some of us just stand in the "wind and storm" and quiver... some are just stronger that way.  But there will come a time of calm after the storm when the quivering stops, and there is rest.

 God doesn't always shield us from the "winds" or sorrow, or trouble. But He always sees us through. Always.

 The fires come raging through the field, and burn up the grass. There is nothing left... but roots.  And it always grows back better, and greener.  It comes back healthier.
 The fire burns off the dead, and dry. The unneeded, unwanted stems.  It burns off all that is visible of the plant.  But when the fire comes it burns all that to ash, which goes back into the soil and helps the grass to grow better.

 When the fiery trials come, it burns off the dross.  All the unneeded, icky sins, unwanted impurities. All the faults and foibles... and all the energy and hard work that has gone into "growing" those, goes back into our "roots"....... we grow better because of it. We learn from it.


 All that the grass goes through... yet it's silent.  It never screams out at God for making it that way.  It never screams out at God for allowing it get walked on and crushed. It never complains about the wind and the fire.  It never complains about being trimmed.  It just silently grows, and continues to serve Him with everything in it.

 So, back to the title... Oh to be like grass!

 To go through trials and testings, and never complain.
 Never worry.
 Never falter.

 Just stand up again.
 And Keep. Growing.


       Hallie

Day 1 - 2013 A New Year

Daily Reading: Proverbs 1, Romans 1, Psalm 1

Proverbs 1

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
² For learning what wisdom and discipline are;
for understanding insightful sayings;
³ for receiving wise instruction
in righteousness, justice, and integrity;
⁴ for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced,
knowledge and discretion to a young man—
⁵ a wise man will listen and increase his learning,
and a discerning man will obtain guidance—
⁶ for understanding a proverb or a parable,
the words of the wise, and their riddles.

⁷ The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and discipline.

⁸ Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,
and don’t reject your mother’s teaching,
⁹ for they will be a garland of grace on your head
and a gold chain around your neck.
¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice you,
don’t be persuaded.
¹¹ If they say—“Come with us!
Let’s set an ambush and kill someone.
Let’s attack some innocent person just for fun!
¹² Let’s swallow them alive, like Sheol,
still healthy as they go down to the Pit.
¹³ We’ll find all kinds of valuable property
and fill our houses with plunder.
¹⁴ Throw in your lot with us,
and we’ll all share our money”—
¹⁵ my son, don’t travel that road with them
or set foot on their path,
¹⁶ because their feet run toward trouble
and they hurry to commit murder.
¹⁷ It is foolish to spread a net
where any bird can see it,
¹⁸ but they set an ambush to kill themselves;
they attack their own lives.
¹⁹ Such are the paths of all who make profit dishonestly;
it takes the lives of those who receive it.

²⁰ Wisdom calls out in the street;
she raises her voice in the public squares.
²¹ She cries out above the commotion;
she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:
²² “How long, foolish ones, will you love ignorance?
How long will you mockers enjoy mocking
and you fools hate knowledge?
²³ If you respond to my warning,
then I will pour out my spirit on you
and teach you my words.
²⁴ Since I called out and you refused,
extended my hand and no one paid attention,
²⁵ since you neglected all my counsel
and did not accept my correction,
²⁶ I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity.
I will mock when terror strikes you,
²⁷ when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when trouble and stress overcome you.
²⁸ Then they will call me, but I won’t answer;
they will search for me, but won’t find me.
²⁹ Because they hated knowledge,
didn’t choose to fear the Lord,
³⁰ were not interested in my counsel,
and rejected all my correction,
³¹ they will eat the fruit of their way
and be glutted with their own schemes.
³² For the turning away of the inexperienced will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
³³ But whoever listens to me will live securely
and be free from the fear of danger.”

Reflection:  Proverbs 1 can be broken into three parts.  The intro (v1-7, the first warning parable (v8-19) and a street preacher named Wisdom (v20-33).  The intro descrbes the outer seal, molded to impress into the reader of the proverb a key of understanding and using the insights, to reveal true insight, which is fear of the Lord.  The second part of this first proverb,  serves as a warning,  a story of sinister characters and the associations of the wrong crowd.  In the third part, the writer points us to a street preacher proclaiming truth and admonishing those who choose not to listen.  

Discussion Topic:   Examine your life, and the year ahead of you.  Are you using God's word to guide your life in all things?  Are you wrongly associated with certain people or perhaps entrapped by ungodly habits?  Where does the solution to this dilemma come from?  Is there relief to be found in the text?

Join the Discussion: 

Prayer: Father in heaven, Holy is your name and worthy to be praised.  Lord we give you honor and glory as we celebrate in the joy of a new year.  Lord guide us this year to a closer relationship with you.  Draw our hearts to your heart so that we can begin to understand the fear of You.  Teach us to make this year about You and Your resolutions.  For its Your Will, Your Kingdom, Your Power and Your Glory! Jesus name, Amen! 

Acknowledgements: Text - Biblegateway.com  Image - http://streetpreacher.tv/

Day 50 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

Luke 2

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Birth of Jesus

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and peace on earth to people He favors!

15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus

21 When the eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named Jesus—the name given by the angel before He was conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons).

Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said:

29 Now, Master,

You can dismiss Your slave in peace,

as You promised.

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation.

31 You have prepared it

in the presence of all peoples—

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and glory to Your people Israel.

33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna’s Testimony

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Family’s Return to Nazareth

39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him.

In His Father’s House

41 Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. 43 After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. 44 Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46 After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. 48 When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”

49 “Why were you searching for Me?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what He said to them.

In Favor with God and with People

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day 

Reflection:  It seems as though, when life finds us at our busiest, is when we need the most to find that small quiet barn, and to get alone with our Savior as He peacefully lays in the feeding trough (this was the first time I realized manger was actually the feeding trough, not the entire scene.).  Isn't ironic how God gave the Bread of Life to us and His first clue was to place Him inside a feeding trough?  

Discussion Topic:  How did you celebrate the birth of Christ?   

Join the Discussion on G+

Prayer:  Father in heaven, we come to you eager to the see the Glory you revealed to the shepherds, knowing that You alone are Holy, Holy, Holy.  We bow before You, because You chose to have Your Glory revealed through Your Son, Jesus, beginning with the most humble of beginnings.  Oh Lord, prepare our hearts for Your return.  Search our hearts and reveal to us the things in our life that are not of You.  Thank You for Your mercy and grace.  In Jesus name, Amen! 

Acknowledgements:  Scripture - BibleGateway.com, Image -http://irenepk2.deviantart.com/art/Nativity-Scene-145302453

Day 49 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

Luke 1

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Dedication to Theophilus

1 Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.

Gabriel Predicts John’s Birth

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

8 When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him:

Do not be afraid, Zechariah,

because your prayer has been heard.

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you will name him John.

14 There will be joy and delight for you,

and many will rejoice at his birth.

15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord

and will never drink wine or beer.

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit

while still in his mother’s womb.

16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel

to the Lord their God.

17 And he will go before Him

in the spirit and power of Elijah,

to turn the hearts of fathers

to their children,

and the disobedient

to the understanding of the righteous,

to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.

18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept making signs to them and remained speechless. 23 When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, 25 “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”

Gabriel Predicts Jesus’ Birth

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her:

Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

31 Now listen:

You will conceive and give birth to a son,

and you will call His name Jesus.

32 He will be great

and will be called the Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give Him

the throne of His father David.

33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,

and His kingdom will have no end.

34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?”

35 The angel replied to her:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore, the holy One to be born

will be called the Son of God.

36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”

38 “I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry:

“You are the most blessed of women,

and your child will be blessed!

43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me! 45 She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!”

Mary’s Praise

46 And Mary said:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,

48 because He has looked with favor

on the humble condition of His slave.

Surely, from now on all generations

will call me blessed,

49 because the Mighty One

has done great things for me,

and His name is holy.

50 His mercy is from generation to generation

on those who fear Him.

51 He has done a mighty deed with His arm;

He has scattered the proud

because of the thoughts of their hearts;

52 He has toppled the mighty from their thrones

and exalted the lowly.

53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped His servant Israel,

mindful of His mercy,

55 just as He spoke to our ancestors,

to Abraham and his descendants forever.

56 And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.

The Birth and Naming of John

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her His great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother responded, “No! He will be called John.”

61 Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” 62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote:

HIS NAME IS JOHN.

And they were all amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

Zechariah’s Prophecy

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

68 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,

because He has visited

and provided redemption for His people.

69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of His servant David,

70 just as He spoke by the mouth

of His holy prophets in ancient times;

71 salvation from our enemies

and from the clutches of those who hate us.

72 He has dealt mercifully with our fathers

and remembered His holy covenant—

73 the oath that He swore to our father Abraham.

He has given us the privilege,

74 since we have been rescued

from our enemies’ clutches,

to serve Him without fear

75 in holiness and righteousness

in His presence all our days.

76 And child, you will be called

a prophet of the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord

to prepare His ways,

77 to give His people knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins.

78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion,

the Dawn from on high will visit us

79 to shine on those who live in darkness

and the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day 

Reflection:  Our journey is coming to a familiar end.  Think about the joy felt by both Mary and her cousin Elizabeth.  One too old to conceive, one a virgin, God's hand on both.  As we prepare for Christmas morning, think of the miracles that you have witnessed within the last week, and how your heart received them.  

Discussion Topic:  Tonight, step away from the computer and spend the time normally spent discussing things to be present with your family as eagerly celebrate the arrival. 

Prayer:  Father, thank You for making the impossible, possible.  We take this time to focus our eyes on the marvel of the story of Life.  Lord God, You made a way for our hearts to return to You.   We are forever grateful.  Bless our time tonight as we gather with friends and family to share in Your joy.  In Jesus name, Amen! 

Acknowledgements:  Scripture - BibleGateway.com, Image - http://www.irishpage.com/bible/marysong.htm