Small Wonder: A Christmas Devotional JourneyNäide

The wonder of meeting

Mary comes to a house she’s likely familiar with – the home of her cousin Elizabeth. But what happens is so unfamiliar that they shout their surprise and wonder out loud. At Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaps inside her womb, and she’s filled with the Holy Spirit. Ordinary space has become sacred. Everyday life for these women is suddenly charged with divine possibility.

Most family visits are full of the familiar, full of repeating patterns, greetings, and partings, predictable rhythms. This family visit is different. Elizabeth recognises that the Holy Spirit is at work, she calls Mary ‘mother of my Lord’, and Mary breaks into prophetic song. God’s justice, abundance, and mercy are proclaimed, all because of this small wonder, the infant in Mary’s womb. These women could be so easy to overlook, but instead have become key figures in the story of salvation.

As you spend time in familiar places and with familiar people, where do you notice the Holy Spirit at work? Do you notice God’s hand in the place where you’ll find yourself today?

Like Mary and Elizabeth, may we cultivate wonder at what God is doing. May it turn to praise as we declare what God has done, is doing, and will do, speaking out the wonder of His works until every corner of life echoes with the joy of His coming kingdom.

Prayer

Father God, please help me to notice where the Spirit is at work and to turn to praise. Let my thoughts focus on Your wonderful works and all that You have done for me and for Your people. Amen.