By Kristin Oliver, a junior biology major from Sharon, Wisconsin
Scripture: Luke 1:39-55 (NRSV)
This week’s theme of “Imagine God’s Face” was striking to me as I have always seen God’s face like Jesus. The Jesus I saw, growing up with long brown hair and a beard or the God that is in the clouds, shining down on you. What do you believe God looks like? Do you believe God to be some mystery in the sky or someone who may be painted like Jesus hundreds of years ago?
Luke 1:39-55 talks about the joy and praise that Elizabeth and Mary feel. Elizabeth, who is pregnant, is greeted by Mary as she comes to a Judean town in the hill country. Elizabeth is pregnant and when Mary walks in, the Holy Spirit fills Elizabeth and cries out, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.”
Mary then starts praising what God has done for her to Elizabeth talking about how God is still fulfilling the promises he made to their ancestors. How God’s mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Verse 53 says that “He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” Over this time of advent, what do you want to praise God for? Has the season been the hardest and you feel like Elizabeth? Do you want to be filled with good things as verse 53 states, or are you going to be sent away empty handed because you would rather have earthly items? Seek God in this time of advent and be comforted in God’s love and mercy.
Scripture: Luke 1:39-55 (NRSV)
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” 46And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”