Our youngest daughter Sherry is expecting her second child. Sherry and her sister Amy (who has two children of her own) believe that children who are still inside the mother’s womb can be influenced by the mother singing, reading, and talking to them. Ladies who are mothers are fully aware of the fact several weeks after conception that there is life growing and developing within their bodies. As the child gets nearer to the time of birth, the movements of the child can be clearly felt and seen.

For a baby to move about in the womb is hardly noteworthy, but for a baby to “leap” while in the womb—and leap upon receiving outside stimuli—is a bit unusual to say the least!

Because of the supernatural nature of John the Baptist’s conception, the conversation John’s father had with the angel Gabriel, Elizabeth’s filling with the Holy Spirit, and the familiarity this little family had with the prophetic Scriptures, Elizabeth recognized the Messiah even before his birth. In my lifetime, I have had many reminders as to who Jesus is. I am learning to take time and recognize the influence of Jesus in the lives of godly people through the pages of the Word, through nature, and through the witness of the Spirit who lives within me. It saddens me when Jesus is not recognized for who he is.

It is never easy to play second fiddle. John the Baptist said that he was not worthy to untie the shoes of the Lamb of God. John recognized his second cousin’s superiority and the part that he, John, was to play in Christ’s ministry as the forerunner. Elizabeth recognized that Mary’s child was to be the Lord. Elizabeth said that she was “favored” that Mary had come to see her and acknowledged that Mary was “blessed” among (all) women.