Category: Daily Promises

“Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, uttered this prophecy…” —Luke 1:67 To give birth, a mother must be pregnant for approximately nine months. To give birth this Christmas, a Christian must be filled with Jesus for at least a few weeks. The birth of every creature requires a pregnancy of varying duration. Have you carried the baby long enough? Have you reached full term? How far apart are the contractions? Tomorrow is birth day, Jesus’ birthday. Are you ready for birthing? Zechariah went through the nine-month pregnancy with his wife. It was a difficult pregnancy. He was deaf...

“When Joseph awoke he did as the angel of the Lord had directed him.” —Matthew 1:24 Many of you have Christmas planned. You’re going to go to certain parties, see certain family members and friends, and give specific presents. You expect to receive a few presents yourself along with some Christmas goodies. The Christmas you have planned is about the same as last year’s Christmas, with a few minor variations. What if Jesus decided to change your Christmas plans dramatically? Would you let Him be Lord of your Christmas? Ahaz had plans about how to avoid destruction by the Assyrians....

“Hark! my lover — here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills.” —Song of Songs 2:8 At the very beginning of her pregnancy, Mary visited Elizabeth. “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: ‘Blest are you among women and blest is the Fruit of your womb. But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’ ” (Lk 1:41-43) Both Elizabeth and John responded to Jesus’ presence and Mary’s visitation with praise in the Holy...

“Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you.” —Luke 1:28 Rejoice unto the Lord for the time is fulfilled, the time long awaited by King David when his throne would be established forever (2 Sm 7:16); the time awaited by St. Paul when God’s mystery, kept hidden for hundreds of years, would be revealed (Rm 16:25); the time awaited by God’s people and fulfilled in Mary when she conceived by the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:35). What joyous expectations have been fulfilled in the birth of Jesus! So often we seek joy, peace and comfort in unusual places —...