New Focus

Perhaps this Christmas you’re expecting something new – something dazzling and shiny with some real bling-bling! Scripture tells us John’s mother, Elizabeth who had been childless well beyond her years childbearing years, conceived then "hid herself five months” (Luke
1:24). Imagine her personal excitement [then] Mary shows up at her door: well, I suspect it’s pretty safe to assume there was some serious girl-talk going on! Interestingly, however, instead of talking of her own pregnancy and coming child, Elizabeth’s attention and words were toward the Child that Mary carried: the world’s Savior. You can just hear Elizabeth’s joy: “And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). New things will come to you this Christmas; oh, I don’t mean in the way of things but in opportunities to put others first. The young Mary needed encouragement, some reassurance of what was taking place in her life – and, she found it with Elizabeth, who saw and seized the privilege of opportunity. Her life suddenly had new focus: Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah, her Savior and Lord. Such opportunities to focus on others will be ours this Season. We may not see ‘em coming – they could sneak-up on us, and suddenly, there they are. When we love God as He loves us and has commanded us to love others, we will look-for divinely appointed moments and ways to focus on others: to lift one who is broken or low, to be gentle and kind, to be patient in joy, give away a smile, lend a helping hand, share a warm embrace, speak Jesus into longing ears. There are countless commentaries on this beautiful passage about Elizabeth, but I'm so grateful for the lesson to re-focus; thank you, Elizabeth for such a timely message to ... put others first!