This week’s readings are based on the “Behold” sermon series. For this series, we are looking at what it truly means to BEHOLD, gaze at, grasp, relish, internalize, and rejoice in Jesus Christ. Start beholding right now by giving thanks for this time with God. Then start reading the text and letting it read you.

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Luke 1:39-45 (ESV)

Take a moment to reread that last verse. One of the defining characteristics of Mary’s faith in God was her willingness to listen. She probably didn’t fully understand or know where it would lead her, but she listened to the voice of God and followed. Later in the Christmas story, Mary’s faithful listening would be described as, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). More than any other time of the year, the Christmas season is full of distinct sounds. Most of the sounds are holly jolly, but many create more hurry and stress in our lives? How are you doing listening to God this season? What noise do you need to quiet to better listen to the voice of God?