Exceptional Women Of Christmas

The stage was being set for God to intervene and make the impossible possible.

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Women have a very important part in the Christmas story. The most familiar women are Elizabeth and Mary; both used by God to deliver God’s plan for the earth.  

Let’s begin with the older one, Elizabeth.  

What do we know about her?  In the gospel of Luke, we read, “In the time of Herod the king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, …his wife was Elizabeth.”  Luke 1: 5  

We are told they were a Godly couple, upright in the sight of God, but had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. 

Being childless in that culture was generally considered to indicate divine disfavor and often brought on social disapproval.  People looked down on them and placed a label of shame upon them.  

However, their story did not end there.  There were more chapters to be written in their lives and in this Bible story that we all read.  

The stage was being set for God to intervene and make the impossible possible.  

Zachariah was performing his normal priestly duties and was chosen to “Go into the temple and burn incense.”  Luke 1: 9 He was offering sweet incense at the altar every morning while tending to the lamps.  

While Zachariah is burning incense before the Lord, “All assembled worshipers were praying outside.”  Luke 1: 10 Elizabeth was, most likely, one of those worshipers in the Court of Women all silent and lifting up their hearts to God in prayer.  

Her prayer was coming before the Lord like the incense was as Zachariah stood at the altar.  

For one week, his duty as a priest was to burn incense each morning in the presence of the Lord.  Before him stood the altar, made of wood and covered in pure gold.  This waist-high altar had a golden horn on each corner.  On one side stood the golden table with the bread of the Presence: and on the other side, a golden lampstand.  

He was not standing alone.  “An angel of the Lord appeared to him standing at the right side of the altar of incense.”  Luke 1: 11 Zachariah was gripped with fear.  The angel tells him not to be afraid that “Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you are to give him the name John.”  Luke 1: 13

What was Zachariah’s answer?  He asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?” I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”  Luke 1: 18  

He needed to know that the impossible is possible with God.  

He doubted and wanted proof that what was being said would happen.  Unbelief caused Zachariah to not be able to speak until John was born and was given his name.  

Whatever her age was, we don’t actually know.  

According to her husband, she was beyond her childbearing years, yet she wasn’t beyond God’s touch!  

The Lord hadn’t forgotten Elizabeth nor her prayer to be a mother. “Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months she remained in seclusion.”  Luke 1: 24 She even said, “He has shown His favor and has taken away my disgrace among the people.”  Luke 1: 25

God takes the “dis” out of disgrace and releases His grace.  

For years, she waited, but she soon discovered that there is a timing for everything.  

The beautiful timing of God is perfect.  

It may have seemed late to Elizabeth, but this special gal was to give birth to the one who would prepare the way for the Lord.  

The angel said to Zachariah about John, “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord in the spirit and power Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”  Luke 1: 14-17

That is a sure Word of the Lord to this woman of God.  

Elizabeth is the woman chosen to carry the one who would prepare the way. John is the cousin of Jesus, the baby whom Mary would carry and deliver after John.  Let’s look at these facts a little closer:

  • Elizabeth carried John, who prepared the way for Jesus by preaching repentance.
  • Mary carried Jesus, who prepared the way of salvation through repentance.
  • Repentance must precede salvation.  

Elizabeth and Mary are about to meet and greet one another in a holy connection. 

  • Repentance is connected and met with salvation.

God’s exceptional plan for the world is carried out through exceptional women and men of God.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, will be the next woman we meet.  

 


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About the Author

Mary Beth Pecora, a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, worshiper and servant leader, who loves life and loves people. More importantly, she passionately loves God and the fullness of who He is! For twenty-three years she has served in leadership positions within the ministry of Aglow International. Currently, she and her husband serve at The Secret Place--A Psalm 91 Ministry. It's a place for individual folks to come, be exhorted and prayed for, while being ushered to ministry stations within the room. They continue to serve monthly in the Prayer Room at their home church that they have been a part of for almost forty years. In April of 2022 they both received their Ministry License and were Ordained in May of 2023. She delights in encouraging folks of all ages within various walks of life. Her love of writing is now her passion, which led her to publish two books, "Restoration Explosion In The New Year," and "Navigating The Mysteries Of God." Above all that’s been accomplished and concluded, the BEST thing to her is knowing her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is her everything—her very best friend. Visit: Mybelovedsvoice.com

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