Advent: Would You like a Holy Ghost Break?

Luke 1:39-45    (NLT)

³⁹A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town ⁴⁰where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

⁴²Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed. ⁴³What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! ⁴⁴When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! ⁴⁵You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." 

According to John Lightfoot Commentary, it is most likely that Elizabeth and Zechariah lived in Hebron, which was know to be the 'the city of Aaron's offspring.' (see commentary)   The distance between Nazareth and Hebron is over one hundred miles.  So whether Mary walked or rode a donkey, it would have taken about four days to travel.  It is most likely she would have had a traveling companion, because women, especially young teens, would not have gone out in public alone.  Was she part of a caravan heading south?  One thing we know, there were no Motel 6's along the way.  Mary had to have been a brave and determined young woman.

But she was a young woman, and she had just been through a profound, life-changing encounter with God Almighty.  She had said yes to a life that would be misunderstood by neighbors, family and friends.   All who say, "Yes," to God will have experiences that are gossiped about and ridiculed by others, sometimes by those closest to us.  Where do we go for comfort and edification in those times?  We seek out the Lord, but also brothers and sisters in Christ who have had similar experiences.  When we come together and share our testimonies in times like these, we receive strength and courage to soldier on. 

As we look at the initial encounter here between Mary and Elizabeth, what gets my heart rejoicing is the Holy Ghost break out time!  From the moment Mary says, "Hi!" the party begins! John is dancing in the womb, Elizabeth gets filled with the Holy Spirit and begins to prophesy! And don't you know the joy that must have hit Mary as she realized, "Praise the Lord, Elizabeth really knows!!!" 

We were not created to walk this path alone.  During this Advent season, let us seek out holy fellowship.  Draw near with those who we  can encourage and build up as well as receiving the same from them.  I almost see it as a time of tarrying and praying and pressing in to the Lord, much as the disciples must have done in the upper room as they awaited the Gift from on High!  This is a season of great expectation!  It is a season to huddle together and share those deep mysteries, both the joys and the sorrows, we have experienced with one another.  

It is a time to believe the Lord will do as He said!  Be blessed! 

Pray with me:  Father, thank You for these two awesome women who said yes to the plan for their lives.  They helped to change the world! Thank You, You have not left us alone, but sent Your Holy Spirit to fill us and to make us one.  Help us to make the time during this all too busy time to come together with our brothers and sisters and share our hearts and lives, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. I want to shout, "Glory!" with someone!! In Jesus name, amen.