One of the many accounts within the Christmas story that I especially like is when Mary visits Elizabeth. Scripture says that John the Baptist, still a baby in the womb, "leaped" when he heard Mary's greeting to Elizabeth. Seems a little far-fetched but I like the thought that the first recognition of the Messiah's presence came from a child in the womb!

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41 NIV) 

Or is this far-fetched? In the August 2013 issue of the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a study suggests that babies develop a memory of the words they hear frequently inside the womb. Science is confirming what Elizabeth knew—communication does occur before birth.

In that dynamic moment when her baby leaped in her womb, Elizabeth could not have imagined the trappings of Christmas celebrations today. This Christmas will you leap with me at the sound of Jesus' voice and allow him the painful process of changing our hearts and minds?

 

Sharing the journey with you,

Bob Snyder