Advent 4 (Rorate Coeli) December 18, 2022
Luke 1:39-56
Leaping for Joy!
v.41a And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.
Dear friends in Christ, it's almost time—it's really close now—Christmas! Christmas is nearly here! We grow excited with anticipation as the day draws ever nearer. Family is arriving. Decorations are up. Last minute presents are being bought and wrapped. Baking is ongoing—and being enjoyed! Christmas music fills the air. The lights brighten up even the darkest of days. As the excitement builds, so does our joy. Nowhere is this more clearly evident than in the reactions of little children. Often, they look with wonder around them at the sights, smells, and sounds of Christmas. Sometimes, you can practically see them dancing or shaking with expectant hope as the time of Advent gives way to Christmas.
Would it surprise you to learn that this veritable explosion of joy among children at Christmas goes all the way back to the very first Christmas? In our text we are blessed to hear of the encounter between the Virgin Mary and her cousin, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, you will recall, was the wife of the priest, Zechariah, who was pregnant (at her advanced age) with John the Baptist, whom we heard about last week. Mary had no doubt travelled there to assist Elizabeth in her preparations to give birth as her time drew closer.
When Mary enters the house, St. Luke records that she gave a greeting to Elizabeth. We don't know the exact words she used, but Elizabeth's (and the unborn John's) response is astonishing. John leaps for joy in Elizabeth's womb. The Greek word used here is often used for that of calves being released from their barn stall—scampering around the countryside in exuberant play. Elizabeth herself is filled with the Holy Spirit so that she can give great praise—not only to Mary—but to the Child in Mary's womb—the unborn Jesus. She exclaims that Mary is blessed—to be spoken highly of—eulogized if you will—among all women. Why? Well, because the fruit of Mary's womb (who also is to be spoken of very highly) is the Lord! The long-awaited Messiah—the Christ—who will set His people free from sin, as prophesied of old. Elizabeth further elaborates to Mary that at the mere sound of her voice in greeting, her unborn son, John, leaped for joy in her womb! Amazing! Such is the response of God's people to the presence of their Lord and Savior—even if He is but a tiny baby in His mother's womb.
Beloved, this is the effect that the Gospel—the Good News of Jesus—has on God's people: unbelievable joy! Joy that might even result in leaping about like children in great excitement. For those who believe the Word of the Lord—His promises that He gives to us through Jesus—are necessarily filled with joy and peace. This is what results in our ultimate blessing, as Elizabeth says to Mary, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
Just a few verses earlier in Luke 1, Mary had been approached by the angel Gabriel who told her that she was to be the mother of the coming Messiah. Even though this announcement caused her some fear and trepidation, especially as she was yet a virgin—how could she possibly conceive a child?—yet in the end, Mary's deep faith is evidenced as she simply responds to Gabriel, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Elizabeth was also given to conceive in her old age—not quite as miraculous a conception as Jesus, of course, but one still worth noting. While Zechariah had questioned the angel's announcement to him concerning this event, apparently his wife, Elizabeth, accepted it with good grace, as did Mary. The belief and trust in the Lord's amazing promises always leads to joy and peace in the believer's heart.
Now, dear friends, we certainly have many things that bring us great joy in this life. We are recipients of many First Article gifts of Creation from the Lord that we do well to rejoice in: family, friends, house and home, food and clothing, government, health, etc. We rightly recognize that our loving Father in heaven—the Creator of all things—graciously gives us (and all people on this earth)—such tremendous blessings—and we do well to thank and praise Him for them. Indeed, sadly the Christmas season has largely been taken over by the secular world's emphasis on such gifts that are given at this time of year—be they toys, sweaters, or the latest electronics.
But for you and me, beloved—for us Christians—there is a much greater gift that we do well to receive with joy: the Good News of Jesus. Jesus—the Savior—born of the Virgin Mary—the Christ—whose birth the Christian church has been celebrating with a special Mass (or worship service) for nearly 2000 years. Christmas gives Christians great joy because it is all about Jesus. Indeed, we continue to lift up our voices with the Virgin Mary in singing her beautiful song, the Magnificat each week in our midweek Vespers services. How does Mary lead us in song? "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…"
So we respond with great joy at Christmas—no matter what—for we have a loving God who has acted in real history—in actual time and space—to save us from our sin—to deliver us from death—to drive off the devil with His Word of peace. For Jesus comes to bring mercy to those who fear Him—have faith in Him—trust in His blood shed on the cross to wipe away their sins. He exalts the lowly who have faith in His promises—He fills those who hunger and thirst for righteousness with His own goodness and mercy. He helps His people as He remembers His mercy—the promise He made to Abraham and to his seed forever. The promise of Jesus.
So, beloved, you too may have great joy in your heart this Adventide, leading up to Christmas. For you have heard the Words and promises of your God. You have heard the story of Christ's birth, His suffering and death on the cross, His glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven, and you know that He is coming again to usher in His everlasting kingdom. You have heard, and by God's grace, you have believed. By looking to Christ who was born in the manger and who would later hang on the cross in payment for your sins—you are blessed. You are blessed with comfort and joy. Does this mean you will always feel happy? Does this mean you will always be dancing and prancing around like excited children? Does this mean you won't experience pain or suffering? No, of course not. But it does mean that there will always be a joy deep down in your heart—a joy rooted in the Christ Child born of the Virgin Mary—who has saved you from your sins.
And this same Jesus is the very One who promises that as He has been raised from the dead, so too shall all who believe in Him and His Word that He has spoken through the prophets, apostles, and evangelists like St. Luke.
At times, beloved, we Christians can sometimes be a little reserved, not very expressive of the joy that our faith in Christ gives. Let us take the opportunity this coming Christmas season to be a little more open in expressing the joy that is in our hearts. Joy that does not come from what is found under the tree or in our stocking, but the true joy that comes from knowing and believing in the Lord Jesus—the fruit of Mary's womb—who as God in the flesh—came to take our sins away and pay the price for them with His own suffering and death.
That means it doesn't matter in the end how terrible fuel prices are—or food prices—or wars or rumors of wars—or disasters—or sickness—nor even death! For you dear Christian have believed that there will be a fulfillment of what was spoken to from the Lord: Words of forgiveness for all your sins; words of washing and renewal in Holy Baptism that have made you God's own children; words connected to bread and wine that give you the very body and blood of Jesus so that you are fed with the righteousness of Jesus; words of peace in the face of distress; words of life in the face of death. All these words of our Lord you have believed—and you know that they will be fulfilled for you on account of Jesus' cross and resurrection—and so you are truly blessed with a peace and a joy that surpasses all human understanding. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen
Luke 1:39-56
Leaping for Joy!
v.41a And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.
Dear friends in Christ, it's almost time—it's really close now—Christmas! Christmas is nearly here! We grow excited with anticipation as the day draws ever nearer. Family is arriving. Decorations are up. Last minute presents are being bought and wrapped. Baking is ongoing—and being enjoyed! Christmas music fills the air. The lights brighten up even the darkest of days. As the excitement builds, so does our joy. Nowhere is this more clearly evident than in the reactions of little children. Often, they look with wonder around them at the sights, smells, and sounds of Christmas. Sometimes, you can practically see them dancing or shaking with expectant hope as the time of Advent gives way to Christmas.
Would it surprise you to learn that this veritable explosion of joy among children at Christmas goes all the way back to the very first Christmas? In our text we are blessed to hear of the encounter between the Virgin Mary and her cousin, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, you will recall, was the wife of the priest, Zechariah, who was pregnant (at her advanced age) with John the Baptist, whom we heard about last week. Mary had no doubt travelled there to assist Elizabeth in her preparations to give birth as her time drew closer.
When Mary enters the house, St. Luke records that she gave a greeting to Elizabeth. We don't know the exact words she used, but Elizabeth's (and the unborn John's) response is astonishing. John leaps for joy in Elizabeth's womb. The Greek word used here is often used for that of calves being released from their barn stall—scampering around the countryside in exuberant play. Elizabeth herself is filled with the Holy Spirit so that she can give great praise—not only to Mary—but to the Child in Mary's womb—the unborn Jesus. She exclaims that Mary is blessed—to be spoken highly of—eulogized if you will—among all women. Why? Well, because the fruit of Mary's womb (who also is to be spoken of very highly) is the Lord! The long-awaited Messiah—the Christ—who will set His people free from sin, as prophesied of old. Elizabeth further elaborates to Mary that at the mere sound of her voice in greeting, her unborn son, John, leaped for joy in her womb! Amazing! Such is the response of God's people to the presence of their Lord and Savior—even if He is but a tiny baby in His mother's womb.
Beloved, this is the effect that the Gospel—the Good News of Jesus—has on God's people: unbelievable joy! Joy that might even result in leaping about like children in great excitement. For those who believe the Word of the Lord—His promises that He gives to us through Jesus—are necessarily filled with joy and peace. This is what results in our ultimate blessing, as Elizabeth says to Mary, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
Just a few verses earlier in Luke 1, Mary had been approached by the angel Gabriel who told her that she was to be the mother of the coming Messiah. Even though this announcement caused her some fear and trepidation, especially as she was yet a virgin—how could she possibly conceive a child?—yet in the end, Mary's deep faith is evidenced as she simply responds to Gabriel, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Elizabeth was also given to conceive in her old age—not quite as miraculous a conception as Jesus, of course, but one still worth noting. While Zechariah had questioned the angel's announcement to him concerning this event, apparently his wife, Elizabeth, accepted it with good grace, as did Mary. The belief and trust in the Lord's amazing promises always leads to joy and peace in the believer's heart.
Now, dear friends, we certainly have many things that bring us great joy in this life. We are recipients of many First Article gifts of Creation from the Lord that we do well to rejoice in: family, friends, house and home, food and clothing, government, health, etc. We rightly recognize that our loving Father in heaven—the Creator of all things—graciously gives us (and all people on this earth)—such tremendous blessings—and we do well to thank and praise Him for them. Indeed, sadly the Christmas season has largely been taken over by the secular world's emphasis on such gifts that are given at this time of year—be they toys, sweaters, or the latest electronics.
But for you and me, beloved—for us Christians—there is a much greater gift that we do well to receive with joy: the Good News of Jesus. Jesus—the Savior—born of the Virgin Mary—the Christ—whose birth the Christian church has been celebrating with a special Mass (or worship service) for nearly 2000 years. Christmas gives Christians great joy because it is all about Jesus. Indeed, we continue to lift up our voices with the Virgin Mary in singing her beautiful song, the Magnificat each week in our midweek Vespers services. How does Mary lead us in song? "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…"
So we respond with great joy at Christmas—no matter what—for we have a loving God who has acted in real history—in actual time and space—to save us from our sin—to deliver us from death—to drive off the devil with His Word of peace. For Jesus comes to bring mercy to those who fear Him—have faith in Him—trust in His blood shed on the cross to wipe away their sins. He exalts the lowly who have faith in His promises—He fills those who hunger and thirst for righteousness with His own goodness and mercy. He helps His people as He remembers His mercy—the promise He made to Abraham and to his seed forever. The promise of Jesus.
So, beloved, you too may have great joy in your heart this Adventide, leading up to Christmas. For you have heard the Words and promises of your God. You have heard the story of Christ's birth, His suffering and death on the cross, His glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven, and you know that He is coming again to usher in His everlasting kingdom. You have heard, and by God's grace, you have believed. By looking to Christ who was born in the manger and who would later hang on the cross in payment for your sins—you are blessed. You are blessed with comfort and joy. Does this mean you will always feel happy? Does this mean you will always be dancing and prancing around like excited children? Does this mean you won't experience pain or suffering? No, of course not. But it does mean that there will always be a joy deep down in your heart—a joy rooted in the Christ Child born of the Virgin Mary—who has saved you from your sins.
And this same Jesus is the very One who promises that as He has been raised from the dead, so too shall all who believe in Him and His Word that He has spoken through the prophets, apostles, and evangelists like St. Luke.
At times, beloved, we Christians can sometimes be a little reserved, not very expressive of the joy that our faith in Christ gives. Let us take the opportunity this coming Christmas season to be a little more open in expressing the joy that is in our hearts. Joy that does not come from what is found under the tree or in our stocking, but the true joy that comes from knowing and believing in the Lord Jesus—the fruit of Mary's womb—who as God in the flesh—came to take our sins away and pay the price for them with His own suffering and death.
That means it doesn't matter in the end how terrible fuel prices are—or food prices—or wars or rumors of wars—or disasters—or sickness—nor even death! For you dear Christian have believed that there will be a fulfillment of what was spoken to from the Lord: Words of forgiveness for all your sins; words of washing and renewal in Holy Baptism that have made you God's own children; words connected to bread and wine that give you the very body and blood of Jesus so that you are fed with the righteousness of Jesus; words of peace in the face of distress; words of life in the face of death. All these words of our Lord you have believed—and you know that they will be fulfilled for you on account of Jesus' cross and resurrection—and so you are truly blessed with a peace and a joy that surpasses all human understanding. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen