Power of the Most High

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"I had a vision from the Lord and I suddenly saw one like a human being coming with the heavenly clouds. He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. Rule, glory, and kingship were given to him; all peoples, nations, and languages will serve him. His rule is an everlasting one—it will never pass away!—his kingship is indestructible. Kingship, authority, and power of all kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy ones of the Most High.” ~Daniel 7:13-14

I grew up going to temple with my family, so I knew the prophecies. I knew God had promised to restore my people to power and I knew that a king from the house of David would rule again. It was just a matter of time…
But I honestly didn’t expect it so soon. Not in my lifetime.
And certainly not as part of MY life.
Yet there I was—sitting at home—when the angel appeared. 
I thought I was crazy (and maybe I am) But it’s also crazy that my cousin Elizabeth would be pregnant too. We all thought she way waaaay too old to be having children, but I suppose if God worked miracles for Sarah and Abraham, so why not Zechariah and Elizabeth?

After hearing the angel, I rushed straight to Elizabeth’s home in Judea. I didn’t know what to expect, but there she was! Standing at the door with that unmistakable belly. I couldn’t believe my eyes, but the angel was right—Elizabeth was pregnant!

And what’s more is that as soon as I cried out, her baby started kicking! …and she knew. Elizabeth knew that I was with child. And she knew that he was special. It was truly a Holy moment.

And suddenly, it was all very real for me. I wasn’t crazy.
The angel HAD come. The prophecy WAS true and it WAS happening. The long-awaited Savior of my people was a near reality. God’s mercy and strength and goodness—oh my goodness, praise the Lord!!!—was about to be powerfully and physically spilled into the world. 

We almost couldn’t believe it, Elizabeth and I. 
But there we were. And there was God.
Praise the Lord!

Kids Corner
Read the Scripture (Luke 1:39-45) and talk about it together: Mary and Elizabeth were relatives and were both going to have special babies from God! What did Elizabeth’s baby do when Mary entered their house? (He jumped for joy!) Why was Elizabeth so excited to see Mary? (Elizabeth knew that Mary was carrying God’s Son {verse 43} and excited that Mary believed what God would do {verse 45}.) How exciting it must have been for them to be together and talk about what God was going to do with their sons! Think about a time when YOU gathered together with family to share stories and good news. How was that like Mary and Elizabeth? How is that like church?

 Pray: Dear God, you are Most High. We thank you for the story of Mary and Elizabeth. We thank you for the gift of community and the joy of gathering with Your people. Help us to be part of your kingdom here on earth, forever. Amen."

Do more together:
Ask your parents what they felt and thought about while waiting for you. What was that story?

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