“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Luke 1:41

Most of my life, I have been the first one in the house awake on Christmas morning.  When I was a child, I leapt out of bed, awakened my brother and sister, and we would all go jump on Mom and Dad.  It was the only morning of the year we were allowed to jump on them in bed.

Even as an adult, I am usually the first one up on Christmas morning.  No matter what time I go to sleep, I awaken bright and early and leap out of bed to pay homage to the baby Jesus in the manger.  I let Tom sleep while I have devotions, put on Christmas music, and get the cinnamon rolls in the oven.  Christmas morning is a wonderful, wondrous time for me.  No matter how old I get, I love the surprise of meeting baby Jesus for the “first” time early on Christmas morning.

When Mary went to visit Elizabeth, baby John leapt inside Elizabeth.  Even before he was born, he recognized his Messiah.  The Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth and she blessed Mary and the baby Mary carried.  Because of this blessing, Mary sang a song of devotion and blessing to God.  A fearful time for Mary turned into a wondrous moment of praise.

How about you?  Were you the first one up this morning?  Did you leap out of bed?  Are you eager to meet the baby Jesus and bask in the wonder of his birth?  Are you rejoicing because God came down, in human form, to be our Messiah?

Come Lord Jesus be our Guest; and let these gifts to us be blessed.  And may there be a goodly share; On every table everywhere. Amen.  Lutheran Table Prayer

Have a blessed Christmas and may you always leap to greet the baby Jesus on Christmas morning.