"Fire In My Bones" by J. Lee Grady (Mary)

There would be no Christmas story without the Holy Spirit’s power.

When the young Mary asked Gabriel how she would be able to conceive the Messiah as a virgin, the angel said: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (see Luke 1:34-35). Many Bible scholars, including commentator Matthew Henry, have speculated that Mary actually conceived after she arrived at Elizabeth’s house, perhaps even at the moment when Elizabeth felt the baby John leap in her womb. At that moment Mary begins to praise the Lord extravagantly, extolling Him for His mercy, power and faithfulness (see Luke 1:46-55.

Mary reminds me that one of the key manifestations of the Spirit in our lives is praise and worship. Being filled with the Spirit automatically unleashes uninhibited praise. If my praise is subdued, casual or restrained, then I need a fresh infilling.

[I am indebted to J. Lee Grady for the above, published in Charisma Magazine]

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