Baby talk
by Pastor Jim Strelan
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As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy (Luke 1:44).
Read Luke 1:39–45 (46–55)
My wife and I have long believed that a baby growing inside a pregnant mother is aware of external noises, emotions, the general wellbeing of the mother and her relationships, and whether the world it will enter is a warm, welcoming one or a disturbing one. Parents who think that way are comfortable talking to the child within and even playing calming music to help create that sense of safety and security for the child.
In this passage, it is as though two babies talk to each other. The baby within Elizabeth acknowledges, recognises and relates to the baby within Mary. And the baby within Elizabeth, to be named John, already does what he as an adult is called to do, points to Jesus so that Elizabeth refers to Mary as ‘the mother of my Lord’ (verse 43). Isn’t that something? Baby John is excited and overjoyed when he is in the presence of Baby Jesus, and Mary feels the dramatic movement in her womb. John, who later points to Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29), already connects with Jesus, and he (not Elizabeth) leaps for joy.
The celebration of the birth of Jesus is getting close. Can you feel the excitement? Are you anticipating something good? This is an amazing thing. This is earth-shattering. This can almost make you want to leap for joy. God coming to our world as a baby. If you are an expectant parent, you can identify with all this. If you have children around you who are excited about Christmas, you will appreciate this. It can be more challenging if you are an empty-nester or don’t have children. But this pre-birth announcement of what is to come can grab hold of you, whatever your present situation is – it’s the beginning of the greatest story ever told.
God of heaven and earth, let your Spirit fill me in these days with great anticipation and joy as I prepare to celebrate the birth of the world’s Saviour and mine. Amen.
Jim is a retired pastor who lives with his wife, Ruth, on the north side of Brisbane. He is a proud and not very humble Brisbane Lions supporter. Jim likes to read, listen to music and play golf. He and Ruth love being with their young grandchildren and watching them grow. For Jim, grace is everything, and he will share that however and whenever possible.
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