Like a reporter, Luke begins his Gospel with a careful investigation. Because of him, we have the accounts of Elizabeth and Mary’s miraculous pregnancies. Through their personal stories, we glimpse the wait for the Messiah and see how we can prepare our hearts for His coming.
Elizabeth’s story teaches us what it looks like to live faithfully in the in-between places. Her story in Luke 1 is woven into Zechariah’s and Mary’s, between longing and fulfillment, silence and song, promise and arrival. In her story, five qualities stand out that help us prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming: righteous, reserved, receptive, ready, and respectful.
Righteous
We meet Elizabeth as a righteous woman. Luke summarizes her life with simple clarity: she and Zechariah “were righteous in God’s eyes.”
Her barrenness, a source of deep shame in her culture, did not invalidate her right standing before the Lord.
Reserved
After God removes her shame, Elizabeth does not seek the center stage. Instead, she withdraws and remains secluded for a time.
We don’t have to broadcast the work God is doing in us; sometimes the holiest things are best treasured quietly before they are revealed.
Receptive
Elizabeth is open to the infilling of the Holy Spirit and recognizes His movement within her. When Mary arrives, John leaps in Elizabeth’s womb, and she immediately responds in the Spirit.
Her receptivity is an active openness that says, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”
Ready
When Mary arrives, Elizabeth immediately welcomes and affirms her. She becomes the safe place where Mary can connect with her soul and rejoice.
Preparation for Christ is not just about our own hearts; it’s about being ready to bless others, ready to speak life, and ready to confirm what God is doing in the lives around us.
Respectful
Finally, Elizabeth acknowledges Mary as “the mother of my Lord,” not in a way that elevates Mary to be worshipped, but rather in a way that recognizes the sacred role Mary will play as the caregiver of God’s Son.
This is a gentle reminder for us: Advent is a time to honor the work God is doing and to rejoice in His unfolding redemption.
Prepare Our Hearts
As Advent progresses, Elizabeth’s story invites us to be:
- Righteous in long obedience
- Reserved instead of broadcasting
- Receptive to the Spirit’s movement
- Ready to encourage and confirm God’s work
- Respectful of the callings God gives to others
In Elizabeth, we find a gentle guide for Advent, reminding us that God is always preparing something, even when we cannot yet see it. May we use her example as we prepare room in our hearts for Him.
*For those of you who prayer walk, ponder the word Prepare. Perhaps a phrase from an old Christmas carol come to mind, “let every heart prepare Him room”. Pray and ponder what that means for you. And for this week’s screensaver click here.