Day Thirteen

December 15

Let’s dwell for a minute on the unborn babies in this scene. Perhaps we could picture Elizabeth and Mary meeting for lunch after their visits to their OB/GYN’s office, and they’re comparing notes on their babies’ development. Elizabeth is thrilled to report that her child is almost fully formed in her womb. Mary, however, is somewhere in her first trimester. We can’t pinpoint the exact week of the Messiah’s gestation, but Mary would report that the fetus she carries weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of less than half as ounce, and He is measuring less than three inches long. If you’ve ever seen an ultrasound of a first trimester baby, it’s easy to visualize the oversized head and tiny body. If we could see Him, He would not look very Kingly to our eyes. But He is divinity downsized—Son of God and Son of Man, destined to grow up and offer eternal life to all who would believe.

Months earlier, the angel Gabriel had prophesied to John that his and Elizabeth’s child would come to earth as the Savior’s forerunner, to prepare the way for the Lord. And Baby John, the elder of the two by six full months is literally jumping with joy as he answers God’s call—in utero!

13) Record the words of Mark 16:15 below. Baby John’s mission has now become ours, and the Christmas season presents us with countless opportunities to announce His birth and celebrate His finished work. Let’s write out a fresh commitment to spread the Good News with the joy of Baby John, asking Immanuel, God with Us, to have His way in us, and reach the world through us.

Hugs,
Shellie