The power of the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say

‘Tis the season

Every year during this season I make it a point to study once again the account of Christ’s birth and early childhood. It never ceases to amaze me that the Holy Spirit reveals something “new” each year that I haven’t thought of before. Already this year he is speaking to my heart! Do you have a favorite reading plan for Christmas time each year?

Bird’s eye view

It’s a fairly common story, but in case you don’t know or have forgotten some of the details, here is the outline of Jesus’ beginning here on Earth:

• An angel comes to visit Mary. Mary is a virgin who is engaged to marry a man named Joseph. The angel tells her not to fear. She has found favor with God, and will bring forth a son named JESUS.
• Joseph is at first nervous about Mary being with child before they are married, and considers hiding her away to avoid any shame and reproach that would come upon the two of them. An angel visits him, too and reassures him that the child she is carrying is that of the Holy Ghost, and he should not fear to take her as his wife.
• During the latter days of Mary’s “being great with child”, as the Bible calls it, she and Joseph make the journey to Bethlehem to be taxed.
• While in Bethlehem Mary gives birth to Jesus in a lowly manger.
• Angels appear to shepherds to announce Jesus’ birth, and they immediately make the journey to see Christ for themselves.

Elisabeth, another miracle in Mary’s life…

In Luke 1 we read about a couple named Zacharias and Elisabeth. Elisabeth is Mary’s cousin. This is an older couple, (beyond typical child bearing years) and Elisabeth is barren. They believed they would never have children. Until God showed up! (He always has a way of making the impossible possible!) An angel comes to Zacharias and tells him he will have a son named John, who will pave the way for Jesus. He will go before him, preaching and preparing the people’s hearts to receive Jesus when He begins His earthly ministry.

Fast forward to after Mary has conceived Jesus. She makes a trip to visit her cousin Elisabeth. (Remember, neither knows the other is expecting, and neither is expecting the other to be expecting, either! One is barren, and the other a virgin.) When Mary arrived and spoke to Elisabeth, the babe in Elisabeth’s womb leaped, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. Here is what caught my attention yesterday in a different way when I re-read this:

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Luke 1:41-45

The Holy Ghost changes everything!

When the Holy Ghost (or the Holy Spirit) moves in, everything changes! He brings life. He brings joy! Those of us who are saved can attest to that. But one thing we tend to forget, is that he gives us the words to say to others. As Christians, we are commanded to tell others about Christ. Many of us struggle with this, because we can’t think of what to say or how to talk to people about Him. We can take some inspiration from Elisabeth in these verses we have read. The Holy Spirit gave her utterance! She spoke out with a loud voice, and was unashamed. She recognized that Jesus was worthy of praise, and couldn’t help but rejoice at his presence! Elisabeth knew that when you believe, all things are possible.

Do we allow the Holy Spirit to move us? Have we muted his voice in our lives, and ignored his prodding?

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:19-20

For months these verses ⬆ have been my prayer. I am working on memorizing these two verses, and now I have a good role model to learn from. Like Elisabeth, may I speak boldly, rejoice in the Lord and his blessings, and believe confidently that the things which He has promised me, he will do!