WEDNESDAY December 17, 2025

Miracle after Miracle

And Mary remained with her [Elizabeth] about three months, and returned to her house. Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
Luke 1:56-58

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months before returning home. It was a long journey––about 100 miles. Her thoughts must have turned toward Joseph. There was no hiding her pregnancy––she was beginning to show. Joseph must be told about her pregnancy. Mary must have prayed as she contemplated his reaction to such news.

When Mary left, Elizabeth was full-term and ready to give birth to her son. She had kept herself in seclusion and away from the attention of curious neighbors. When the news did break, her neighbors and relatives were so excited. They rejoiced with her, knowing that the Lord had shown her great mercy. He had blessed her with a son in her old age!

Miracle after miracle happened. On the eighth day, it was customary for a son to be named after his father. However, Elizabeth made known that the baby’s name was to be John. Relatives and neighbors must have looked confused. John was not a family name, so they looked to Zacharias for further confirmation (Luke 1:59-62). Zacharias motioned for a tablet. He wrote down, “His name is John.”

Suddenly, Zacharias was able to speak. The angel Gabriel had said to him: “... you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place...” (Luke 1:20). In obedience and faith, Zacharias aligned his life with God’s plans and named his son, John (Luke 1:13). He was instantly able to speak, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, he gave a prophecy concerning his son and of the coming Messiah (Luke 1:64, 67-79).

This Christmas, in obedience and faith, how will you align your life with God’s plans?

If you want the perfect plan that God has for your life, you will have to go by way of Calvary to get it.
~Billy Graham~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!