Tag: #JohntheBaptist

A Christmas Miracle – Part 3

In the last post, we talked about Elizabeth’s backstory. How Elizabeth and Mary were cousins pregnant at the same time.

The Miracle of Birth – The Backstory of Mary

The story begins with Mary, a young girl, and her fiancé, Joseph. 

Mary and Joseph were engaged.

Mary was a virgin, until the Holy Spirit visited and impregnated her, causing confusion for the pair. Not to mention family and friends as well. Theoretically, Mary was still a virgin. 

*Artist: Stephen B. Whatley: Mary and The Holy Baby Jesus – St Stephen’s Day 2012 www.stephenbwhatley.com 

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”

Angel Gabriel

Of course, Joseph was quite angry that his betrothed was “with child.” And he knew it wasn’t his! 

Anger led to the Angel.

In a dream, an Angel visited Joseph and told him to care for Mary.

“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Angel Gabriel

And so it was. Joseph and Mary were a couple, and they were destined to become parents. Parents of the long-awaited Messiah.

Pillars of Faith

Elizabeth and Mary were pillars of faith and obedience to God. And so were their respective partners, Zechariah and Joseph. Although Elizabeth was well beyond her childbearing years, it was miraculous for her to conceive. It was her pregnancy that served as a precursor to Mary’s virgin birth. Mary’s conception was even more miraculous because it symbolized the divine nature of the birth of the Christ-child that transcended all logical and biological thoughts and constructs.

Transcending All Logic

Faith transcends logic. To the logical mind, we must see proof before something can be believed. Yet, as people of faith, we don’t have to see evidence. We believe because we “feel” the Spirit of God within us. After all, we were made in the image of God. It sure is awesome to “feel” God’s presence. Yet, many of us feel dry. Unheard. Empty. We ask, “Where are you, God.” And the answer is silence.

Is it possible to have faith when you don’t “feel” God’s presence. Faith is a choice. Choosing to believe regardless of your feelings will reap rewards whether you “feel” them or not.

We Are The Clay

There hasn’t been a time in my life when God was absent. Of course, there were times when I thought he abandoned me. Like when I was bullied in junior high school. Or during my first marriage. Or during the divorce. But, I realized that God was walking me through the darkness. So I could come out the other side. Like a piece of fine pottery after being in the kiln’s heat.

Sometimes, we must surrender logic to fully feel the Holy Spirit in us. If you feel lost, perhaps try to talk to God? Ask God to reveal his image to you. To feel his presence. To walk with you on your life journey. God is the peace that passeth all understanding.

A Christmas Miracle – Part 4, will discuss the Miracle of Emotions During Pregnancy.

#Birth #Christmas #Motherhood #Mary #Elizabeth #Faith #Nativity #Logic #Faith #Miracles

*Used by permission

A Christmas Miracle – Part 2

There is no doubt that Christmas time is a time of wonder and awe.

And what possibly could be more miraculous and wondrous than the Miracle of Birth? Today’s post begins with two special ladies from the New Testament who give birth to two extraordinary baby boys. 

Elizabeth and Mary. Both mothers conceive according to God’s divine plan. We will explore each one separately.

The Miracle of Birth – The Backstory of Elizabeth

Let me set the stage.

Artist Credit: Of Knowledge Painting by Kd Neeley

Mary and Elizabeth are cousins and are pregnant at the same time. Elizabeth is an older, more mature woman married to Zechariah, a priest. Elizabeth was barren, and she and her husband longed for a child, yet they knew time was running out. 

Why were children so important in Biblical Times?

At that time, children were a sign of God’s favor. Since Zechariah was a priest, it is easy to imagine people talking behind their backs about them being childless. How could a priest not have children? They must have been the talk of the town. Until…

Gabriel.

The Angel who pays a visit to Zechariah.

Elizabeth & Son, John the Baptist

Gabriel not only tells Zechariah that Elizabeth will bear a child, but his name will be John, and that the baby would grow to be a man who would prepare the way for the Lord. 

Just like Sarah laughed in disbelief when God told her she would have a baby in her old age, Zechariah doubted this message from God. Because Zechariah doubted, he could not talk until the baby was born. God silenced him.

Little did Zechariah know at the time that John would be the voice calling in the wilderness.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Matthew 3:2

The Voice of God

Have you ever heard a voice calling in the wilderness? Or God speak to you directly? Or witness a profound moment in which it felt God intervened on your behalf?

Once, I was in my car heading west on Route 1 from Hoboken to Maplewood, NJ. There was traffic, and a car stopped abruptly in front of me. There was no time to react. Yet, I felt an unnatural force stop my car from hitting the car in front of me. I remember thanking my guardian angel to this day.

Similarly, once, I was traveling from Hoboken to Stamford, CT. It was in a blizzard. As I was rounding a corner in Tarrytown, several cars spun out and collided. My car spun out, too. But my car landed in a small ditch. Sure, I was rattled. But I was safe. My car was safe. And I was able to drive the rest of the way home. Once again, my guardian angel was watching over me.

God and his army of angels tend to show up when you least expect them. I’d love to hear about your experiences with God.

In the next post, we will continue this theme of The Miracle of Birth. We will further explore the mothers who gave birth to two religious leaders who changed the world.

#Christmas #Birth #Motherhood #Mary #Elizabeth #Faith #Nativity #Emotions #Miracles