Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 1:18

TEXT: "How shall I know this?" (Luke 1:18)


The impossible gift: for some children, it's a
pony; for us, it was a pool table. Every Christmas
we asked for a pool table and ended up
disappointed. Finally, one Christmas we sat
around the tree after opening all our presents.
Figuring there would be no pool table, we resigned
ourselves to look more closely at the presents we
had received. That's when mom and dad brought
out one last present for each of us. One brother
opened a triangle; another opened a box of pool
balls. We were all running downstairs before the
other three gifts were unwrapped.

That's what happened to Zechariah. But instead of
running downstairs to see the pool table, he sat on
the floor asking "How shall I know this?" Long ago
he had given up the dream of having a child. So
even though an angel stands before him giving this
tremendous good news, Zechariah finds it
impossible to believe.

God's great promises often greet us when we are
beaten down, discouraged and depressed. A
cynicism often seeps in that keeps us from enjoying
God's gifts as we should, but those gifts are still
offered whether you believe it or not. The baby is still
in Bethlehem's manger for you. Will you pass it by
just because you've been discouraged by the events
in your life?

Christmas is really all about God stepping into our
world of disappointment, heartache and failure. He
came to share our life of pain and sorrow; He came to
give us His life of joy, peace and bliss.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, come to me in my disillusionment and
pain. Reassure me of Your power to heal my pain,
provide all my needs, and lead me to unending joy
in Your presence. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)