December 19: Come to Me, Lord

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:42-45 (NLT)

The holidays bring anxiety: family, parties, shopping, etc. Perhaps we’re missing a loved one. Last year, both my wife and I lost our mothers. Those of us suffering the loss of a loved one find it difficult to deal with the joy of the season when that loved one is not with us.

Now here we are as another holiday season approaches. This Christmas we look forward to a special gift: Our first child is due in February. We’re both overjoyed by that excitement; however, we also wish our moms were here to show their grandchild how much they love them.

But the message we use to carry on can be found in the words “…you believed that the Lord would do what he said,” and just as Elizabeth was honored that Mary would come to help her out during her own pregnancy, we are honored that Jesus came to save us.

Lord, comfort us who need comforting, and strengthen our faith that we will one day be in Your presence.

Rudy Acevedo