Elizabeth is over the moon when she finds out that she is expecting a child.
When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home. It wasn’t long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. “So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!” she said. The Message
23And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. KJV
23When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” NIV
23When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25“How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” NLT
23When his period of service in the Temple was over, Zechariah went back home. 24Some time later his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and did not leave the house for five months. 25“Now at last the Lord has helped me,” she said. “He has taken away my public disgrace!” Good News Bible
Zechariah is trying to figure out how he is going to raise a child with a priest’s retirement income and Elizabeth shuts herself up for 5 months for a personal party. Zechariah wants to question an angel but when Elizabeth realizes she is expecting she immediately knows who has intervened on her behalf – God!
Elizabeth considered this untimely pregnancy as a gift from God. Her focus was not on her abilities or lack of abilities or any other potential problem but on God’s goodness. Her praise was directed towards a God who blessed her.
You and I have met people like this. They get excited when they find an item they thought was lost. They love to hear little children talk about their hamsters, gerbils, and imaginary friends. When a friend calls to tell them good news they want to run and hug them.
These are the folks who believe and act as if God is present. God does not have to be summoned, he is present. God does not have to be coerced, he does good things.
It’s Christmas. Let’s act some like Elizabeth. Expectation of God’s presence will certainly open our eyes to what is happening all around us.
