Elizabeth

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“In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women

and blessed is the child you will bear!’” Luke 1:42 (NIV)

               Gabriel told Mary of her Cousin Elizabeth’s upcoming birth. Mary journeyed to the hill country of Judea to visit Elizabeth and Zechariah. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth greeted her with, “‘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 excited as she was about being able to carry her baby, she was all the more excited about Mary and her baby.

               We only have a short account of Elizabeth in the Bible. We know she and Zechariah were older, thought to be beyond the child-bearing years. They were strong in their faith. Zechariah was a priest. Both were descendants of Aaron. They knew the prophecies of the olden times.       

               The Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth and allowed her to recognize her young cousin to be the mother of her Lord.

               In the verses immediately before this, Mary had greeted Elizabeth and, at that time, the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth’s heart and apparently spoke to her.

               Does the Holy Spirit speak to us who live in the 21st Century? I believe He does. He chooses those He sees as living close to Him to further God’s kingdom. Can we listen for the Holy Spirit in our lives during this season and into the New Year?