Week 2 Christmas Challenge, Liminal SpaceSample

Yes, we’re using the same text as in Day 1! Here it is, in a different translation (The Passion Translation): 

“Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son and you are to name him John. 14 His birth will bring you much joy and gladness. Many will rejoice because of him, 15 and he will be one of the great ones in the sight of God. He will drink no wine or strong drink, but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even while still in his mother’s womb. 16 And he will persuade many in Israel to convert and turn back to the Lord their God. 17 He will go before the Lord as a forerunner, with the same power and anointing as Elijah the prophet. He will be instrumental in turning the hearts of the fathers in tenderness back to their children and the hearts of the disobedient back to the wisdom of their righteous fathers. And he will prepare a united people who are ready for the Lord’s appearing.”

In Day 1 we considered Elizabeth’s and Zechariah’s surrender. Today we are looking at God’s generosity. And Gabriel’s prophecy oozes God’s generosity.

God’s answer to their prayer was generous on its face. But He didn’t stop there. He extended His generosity to ‘many’ who would experience joy and gladness and rejoice because of John. He would generously fill John—as Holy Spirit—while John was still in Elizabeth’s womb! And at the next level, God’s generosity was being offered to the people of Israel. They were being given another example of the extreme lengths God goes to try to reconcile people to Himself. They were being given a generous opportunity to turn back to God their Father. 

It is a divine example for us. Especially during this heavy season, with our regular weekly calendar crowded with extra events (from volunteering shifts to parties) and responsibilities (from decorations to presents), our default action might be the minimum, to do what we can, or must. And, yet, we aren’t the only busy people we know. Probably everyone we know is similarly burdened. What an opportunity for us to demonstrate generosity, of doing extra, to love and support and bless others!