Welcome to Church of the City, New York's Advent Devotionals.

Jesus was good news in the first century, and he is still good news today.

In the Christmas stories recounted in Scripture, people always responded to Jesus with

amazement and praise. This response came from deep longings and heartbreak being met with God breaking in to

fulfill his promises, offer his forgiveness, bring his justice and peace, and extend his love.

This Christmas, we hope you will have your own encounter with the person of Jesus and the

good news of his birth.

And like those of old, let your song of praise resound to the world around you.

Today's reading comes from Luke, chapter 1, verses 42 to 45.

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. Blessed is she who has

believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her. These are some of

the first words Elizabeth says to her cousin Mary when she arrives. Pregnant and unmarried, Mary arrives

at Elizabeth's doorstep in a very dangerous situation.

At the time, almost all outcomes of Mary's pregnancy

could lead to being socially ostracized, outcast,

and possibly even being stoned to death by her own community.

However, before Mary even has time to explain her situation,

Elizabeth is immediately consumed by the Holy Spirit.

Crying out in a loud voice, she proclaims,

...