St. Luke 1:57; 1Thessalonians 5: 12-23

Dec. 12, 2021

57Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

1Thess 5: 12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16Rejoice evermore.

17Pray without ceasing.

18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19Quench not the Spirit.

20Despise not prophesyings.

21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The verse from St. Luke comes just after the Magnificat, Mary’s praise to God for this nonpareil gift He has bestowed on her. In verse 57, Elizabeth gives birth to the infant who leapt in her womb when Mary visited her. He knew Jesus while they were both yet in the womb. We know that child, to be called John, ‘will prepare the way of the Lord’. (Isaiah 40:3)

The verses in 1Thessalonians point to the teachings of Jesus in how we are to live our every-day lives so that ‘the very God of peace sanctify us’.

Advent is our time for preparation, to get our lives and our hearts right with the Lord so that we may be ready not only to receive the Child that will be born in a manger, but that we may also be ready for that Second Coming in which He will be the King. The Child and also the King. Looking forward and looking back.