December 22, 2021

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Luke 1:41 (NIV)

There was something special about Mary.  She seemed to have a radiance she hadn’t had before.  There was a purpose to her life that had never been there before.  There was a new-found hope in a young woman.  There was joy; she walked with a sense of gaiety in her step.  There was no denying it:  there was something different about Mary.

Something more than the fact that she was with child.  Women with child are common place.  They were seen all the time.  But Mary was different.  Because Mary was carrying Jesus within her.

Jesus, Messiah!  Jesus, Redeemer!  Jesus, Savior!  Jesus, Lord!  Jesus, Deliverer!  Jesus, Immanuel!

When you’re carrying Jesus within you, it makes a difference.  It did with Mary, and it should with us.  No, we aren’t privileged to give birth to God’s son.  That was a special task that was allowed to Mary.  But when we make Jesus Lord of our lives, He takes up residence within us.

Now, there is something special about us.  There is a radiance we didn’t have before.  There is a purpose to our lives that had never been there before.  There is a new-found hope in us.  There is joy; we should walk with a sense of gaiety in our step. 

For we are carrying Jesus within us!