Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
SUNDAY, December 20 Advent 4
Luke 1:39-45(46-55). Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Warehouses of material have been written about the Blessed Virgin Mary--her humility, her purity, her obedience, her blessedness. It's all true, no doubt, but little has been written about her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. It is Elizabeth who spoke these words when the unborn John leapt in her womb at the sound of Mary's voice. What can we say of Elizabeth?
For years Elizabeth had been trying in vain to conceive, and was considered barren. Then an angel informed her husband that she would conceive and bear a child who, even before he was born, would be "filled with the Holy Spirit." Such good news! What a grand contribution her son would surely make! And yet, when John leapt in Elizabeth's womb at Mary's voice, indicating that Mary's baby would supersede him in honor and status, Elizabeth showed no tinge of jealousy or resentment, rejoicing instead at her cousin's blessedness and that of the child she carried. Rivalry, sometimes bitter, is often seen among siblings and cousins, but we see nothing of that in Elizabeth. Like Mary, she is to be celebrated for her exemplary humility, purity, obedience, and blessedness.
PRAY for the Church of the Province of Myanmar and the Diocese of Yangon
Canticle 3 or 15, or Ps 80:1-7; Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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From where do such virtues come? Is this is a gift from God? Is one born with it? I must admit that I am not quite so virtuous (a slight understatement) but I do want to be more like Christ and will continue to seek to do His will and live the life that He wants me to lead.