Joy To Your World - Children's Advent DevotionalSample

The angel Gabriel told Mary that her relative, Elizabeth, was pregnant too. Mary decided she would visit her. The Bible says that when Mary called out a greeting to Elizabeth, her baby “leaped” inside of her. God gave Elizabeth a word of blessing for Mary. Elizabeth said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42).

Mary would have been so grateful to hear Elizabeth’s words. She was a young woman whom God had called to carry His Son, Jesus. And now someone else understood what had happened in Mary’s life. Elizabeth knew she was “blessed.”

Mary’s joy is seen in what is known as the Magnificat, or Mary’s song. Mary sang that her soul, the deepest part of her, rejoiced in God. She knew that she was just an average girl, but because of God’s mighty work in her life, she would be known forever as someone who was “blessed.”

Mary’s words are important to remember every Christmas. Mary knew that her “blessing” wasn’t going to mean that her life became problem-free. In fact, her blessing would cause some difficult times in her life. Did Mary’s family understand her situation? Would Joseph understand? What would she do if they didn’t believe her? There is a lot about the Christmas story we don’t know

But what did the Bible tell us? Mary knew she had been blessed by God, and Elizabeth confirmed it. So, Mary praised God for what she did know. She was blessed by God.

What makes your soul rejoice today? Our circumstances don’t need to be perfect for us to have God’s great joy. We can praise God just as Mary did, for the blessings we have. God, who is mighty, has done great things for us too.

How has God blessed you? Will you praise Him for those things this Christmas?