Good Morning Bible Journal Family! I hope you are all healthy and doing well as we continue to celebrate Advent and the joy we have in the birth of Jesus. I must admit when I first read the verses for today I paused and prayed for some insights. I then found myself reflecting on the pregnancy of our three children. Have you had the blessing of children? What about that moment you find out you were pregnant? For me, the initial reaction included shock and overwhelming joy. Even though I knew were supposed to wait, the excitement took over. I couldn’t wait to tell family, friends, and at the moment feeling like every contact in my phone.
Luke 1:39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
On Sunday after church, I asked Jackson what he learned about in class. He said we talked about Mary going to tell Elizabeth about herself being pregnant with Jesus. (Really) I said a little prayer of thanks and told Jackson that was what I was writing about this week. I shared with him the excitement we have knowing Jesus was born for us. He came for him and me and everyone who believes and has faith. 
As I looked back at my phone from not only our pregnancy times but also when our children were born I sent pictures and texts to just about everyone. Why don’t I share the Good news of His birth this way? I’m throwing the challenge out there for us. Share the story of his birth, share the change he has made in your life. Mary was blessed like no other. We who know Christ are also blessed. Tell someone about His blessing offered today?
Think about it: Aren’t you glad someone courageously communicated —testified — about Jesus to you?
There are many opportunities around you this Advent season to do the same. If people don’t hear of Christ’s love for them from you or me, they may not ever hear! God is working behind the scenes. He does powerful things when we step out and trust Him.
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
Heavenly Father, I love You and thank You for all that You have done for me. Thank You for dying for me and taking the punishment that I deserve. Father God, please help me the courage I pray, to open my mouth and speak the truth to whomsoever I may come into contact. Let me tell them the reason for my Hope in a world that seems lost in 2020. God help us to use this Advent season as a platform to lift you up and share your promises of an eternal kingdom with you. Amen
“So you must go and make disciples of all nations…Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end” (Matthew 28:19a–20)