Finding Favor Within Our Families
by Amy Tromba on December 18, 2023
My husband and I are Christmas decorating addicts. In our home, we set up five evergreen trees. One of the five is known as our “blessings tree” which gets decorated with over one hundred 2x3 photos from adventures our family has experienced throughout the year. For me, the joy I experience as each photo is picked, printed, and placed on a branch is indescribable. Warm memories flood my mind as my heart rejoices in gratitude for God’s blessings over the year, even when some of those moments were filled with uncertainty.
I wonder how my feelings compare to young Mary’s when the angel Gabriel told her she would give birth to the Son of God? After hearing the news, she hurried to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who the angel said had conceived a son in her old age and was now six months pregnant. She would be the first family member Mary would announce her pregnancy to, but how would Elizabeth react? Would she believe?
Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting as she entered her home and the baby leapt within her womb. Even before birth, John the Baptist was fulfilling his ministry as the herald of Jesus. Mary didn’t have to announce or explain her pregnancy because Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and immediately knew Mary was carrying the Lord Most High. Mary was so overcome with gratitude by Elizabeth’s response she did what many teenagers would do when something wonderful happens … she turned to music and broke into song.
“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name’” (Luke 1:46-49).
In these few verses, it’s clear that Mary knew the Scriptures because her words are reflective of Hannah’s song of praise in 1 Samuel when God gave her a child after being barren for many years. Even more important, Mary understood her need for a Savior and so she rejoiced over the favor of God towards her lowly state as a sinner.
What about you? Do you personally know God as your Savior? Do you have Scripture hidden in your heart so when a sweet moment happens you can break into song?
It’s amazing how God provided a family member so Mary could share her good news. I recall the day I found out I was pregnant with our first child. We had been trying for some time to get pregnant, but each month resulted only in more discouragement. I was skiing with my sister in Utah when I kept feeling nauseous throughout the day. I thought it was due to the high altitude, but my sister convinced me to take a pregnancy test just in case. I didn’t want to discourage my husband with yet another negative result, so there I was with my sister taking a pregnancy test in a movie theater bathroom. Negative once again.
After returning home, the nausea never went away. I took another pregnancy test. I was cautiously optimistic. Positive. I was in shock. I must confess, my first reaction was to call my sister and not my husband. She was thrilled and we both leapt in the air.
It brings me back to our blessings tree. Whether it’s moments of joy or seasons of uncertainty, God has blessed us with the birth of His Son. He has done great things. He has indeed been good.