Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah the priest and relative of the virgin Mary, is one of the Wise Women of Christmas.  From her story, we learn some valuable lessons about opening our lives to the joy of the Lord.

• Perception is not always reality.  Elizabeth felt her life as a childless wife was a disgrace, but in reality God loved her and had a wonderful plan for her.
• Faithfulness and hope open the door to God’s blessings.  Even when childless, Elizabeth continued to serve God with righteousness, and she never gave up hope in God’s loving-kindness.
• God rewards faithfulness with joy!  Elizabeth experienced and shared the blessings of the Lord.  They came through the birth of her son John the Baptist, and then through the arrival of God’s Messiah, Jesus.

The same joy is available to us today!