Christian Reflection and Prayer

And he (Zechariah) asked for a writing tablet and wrote,
"His name is John." ... (Luke 1:63a). Read Luke 1:57-63.

 

When I was a child presents didn't show up under our
tree until Christmas morning. When my wife was a child
they were there Christmas Eve after church. We knew
when our first child came along that one of us would be
starting a new tradition.

 

Something new was about to happen in Zechariah's
family. The time finally came and Elizabeth gave birth to
a son. Eight days later it was time to circumcise and
name him. Zechariah's neighbors and family wanted to
name him after his father, but Elizabeth refused.
Clinging to the words of the angel to Zechariah, she
said his name was to be John.

 

This puzzled the friends and relatives. It was traditional
to name sons after their father or another family member.
But Elizabeth stood firm. Her child's name would
transcend family relations. He was not just a gift to his
family, but to the whole world.

 

When the neighbors turned to Zechariah, they began
asking him what name he wanted to give the child.
Zechariah immediately got his writing tablet and
confidently wrote, "His name is John."

 

What a difference from nine months ago. Then he was
filled with doubt, skepticism and hopelessness. The time
John was growing in Elizabeth's womb, and those three
months with Mary and her special Child were more than
enough to renew Zechariah's flagging faith. Now with
great confidence and boldness, Zechariah gives his son
the name the angel had said.

 

Jesus makes that transformation in our lives too. By the
salvation won by His life, death and resurrection, He
drives away our doubts, fears and cynicism, and fills us
with courage, joy and faith.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

 Heavenly Father, thank You for bearing with our doubts
and fears. For Jesus' sake, fill us with confidence, hope
and faith that we may trust You and serve one another.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

And Mary remained with her about three months and
returned to her home (Luke 1:56)

 

When we first gather with family at Christmas, it's a
wonderful feeling. But after a few days together, we
begin to notice those things that got on our nerves
as kids and how they still get on our nerves today.
We can manage a couple of days all right, but three
months would be out of the question.

But three months was perfect for Mary, Elizabeth
and Zechariah. They probably would have stayed
together longer if they could. The women talked
about God's plans for their sons, while Zechariah
listened in. These were great days. It is a truly
wonderful experience to spend time together with
people who share your interests and your
fascination with the great things God is doing.

 

Of course, just as our Christmas gatherings must
eventually come to an end, the time finally came
for Mary to return home as well.

 

Our Christmas gatherings can be powerful
glimpses of the great joy those who believe in
Jesus Christ as Savior will enjoy in heaven. We
will get along perfectly, because God will remove
the sin that turns us against each other. Until that
day, we can enjoy more harmonious gatherings,
because Jesus has already begun His work in us,
taking away our sins and God's wrath and making
us new creatures in His image.

 

That process will finally be completed when Jesus
Christ returns to earth on Judgment Day. Then He
will make us perfect. We will live together in joy
and peace in God's presence forever, sharing even
greater delights than Mary, Elizabeth and Zechariah
enjoyed during those three wonderful months together.

THE PRAYER:

 

 Heavenly Father, thank You for gathering us as
Your family in Jesus Christ Your Son. Purify our
hearts that we may enjoy our time together this
Christmas -- looking to the eternal pleasure of being
together in Your presence. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

(And Mary said) "He has brought down the mighty from
their thrones and exalted those of humble estate"
(Luke 1:52).     Read Luke 1:51-55.

 

I used to snoop around the house to find the presents
from mom and dad. Their solution was to wrap up the
presents a few weeks early, then put them under the tree
-- without any name tags on them. We examined those
packages with magnifying glasses but found no clue as to
which present belonged to which of us five boys. My
solution was daring and brilliant: I found the biggest
package under the tree and claimed it as my own.
Whenever we posed for pictures I stood by my beautiful,
huge present. Of course, on Christmas morning it always
ended up belonging to one of my brothers.

 

A few days back we discussed the stigma the Jewish
culture put upon childless couples like Zechariah and
Elizabeth. That proud and arrogant attitude plagued the
entire Jewish culture. It was commonly thought that God
showed His favor to certain people by giving them wealth,
power and prominence. And He showed His displeasure
to others through poverty, disease and a low social
standing.

 

Mary's experience shattered that foolish presumption.
God passed by all the virgin daughters of the rich,
powerful, prominent families in Jerusalem, and instead
He chose an unknown girl from an obscure city in the
despised north. Jesus would say it best, "Whoever exalts
himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself
will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12).

 

None of us can stand before our pure and holy God in our
own righteousness. Our only hope is through the humble
Christ Child, born in a lowly manger, nailed to a despised
cross, raised to glory on the third day, and seated at the
right hand of God the Father in heaven.

THE PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, You humble the proud and raise up the
lowly. Turn me from my arrogant, sinful pride that I may
cling to Jesus Christ, My Lord and Savior, my pride and
joy. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)