News Flash.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." (Luke 1:41-43)

For this year's Advent season, Pastor Sam has shared with us concerning the role of the Holy Spirit in Luke's account of the Advent narrative. This past Sunday we had time to reflect on Elizabeth.

• By the Spirit, Elizabeth was able to see what was invisible to others. It was the Spirit who gave Elizabeth the knowledge of Mary's pregnancy, even though Mary was not visibly pregnant at the time.
• By the Spirit, Elizabeth was able to have a prophetic perspective on natural events. It was the Spirit who caused Elizabeth to understand that her baby in her own womb was not moving randomly, but "leaped for joy".
• The Holy Spirit discloses the works of God. It was the Spirit who revealed to Elizabeth that Mary's pregnancy was not from a sexual encounter, but was a miraculous act of the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit reveals for us what other people are not saying. It was the Spirit who caused Elizabeth to know that Mary's baby was not merely another child to be born, but was also the Lord of glory.  

Our pastor noted that "God, through the Holy Spirit, can cause you to understand things." Things that seem to be ordinary might in fact be extraordinary, but we will not know what God is doing unless we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and under His inspiration she saw and spoke.

Who inspires your sight and speech?