Christian Reflection and Prayer

After these days (Zechariah's) wife Elizabeth conceived,
and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying,
"Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when He
looked on me, to take away my reproach among people"
(Luke 1:24-25).

Read Luke 1:23-25.

 

Many husbands and wives struggle with the heartbreak
of infertility. But Zechariah and Elizabeth experience
something even deeper. During that period when a
couple was childless, their neighbors often made false
and hurtful assumptions about them.

 

Judaism had lost its proper understanding of the Old
Testament. Instead of focusing on God's undeserved
grace for helpless sinners, the Jews focused on their
own worthiness. They judged their neighbors'
relationship with God by the blessings He showered
on them. Their good health, financial status, overall
prosperity, social status, and number of descendants --
or lack of -- were indicators of their connection with
God. No matter how much they honored God and
trusted His salvation, Jewish society looked upon
Zechariah and Elizabeth's infertility as proof that
things were not quite right between them and God.

Now, at last, God has visited them and removed
Elizabeth's social disgrace. But interestingly, Elizabeth
doesn't go right out and clear up her reputation by
broadcasting her pregnancy. Instead, she keeps her
pregnancy hidden. Perhaps it is because Elizabeth
knows God is doing something even greater than
granting her the gift of a child-as special as that child
will be.

 

God is sending His Son into the world, and her son will
be His forerunner, His messenger. How surprised she
will be in the sixth month when the mother of God's Son
comes to be a guest in her house.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, it is not easy to be judged and
misunderstood by people-especially when I struggle
through difficult situations. Grant me Your joy, peace,
and patience as You guide me through this life. In Jesus'
Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

And behold, (the angel said) you will be silent and unable
to speak until the day that these things take place
(Luke 1:20a).          Read Luke 1:20-22.

 

I can think of few times during the year when I would hate
to lose my voice more than Christmas time. There are so
many beautiful carols to sing, so many thrilling songs. It
did happen one year in my ministry. I had to save my
voice to preach and, as a result, sat silently as our
members sang all those beautiful Christmas carols without
me. It was frustrating beyond all measure.

 

What must it have been like for Zechariah to be silenced-
not for a day or two-but for more than nine months? This
should have been the happiest time in his life. It should
have started with him stepping out of the temple, praising
God with a loud voice. Instead, he can only try to make
signs to communicate with the waiting crowds outside.
God has left him unable to speak because of his unbelief.

At first, the worshipers in the temple court wondered at
his delay since usually burning incense was a quick thing.
But when Zechariah came out unable to speak, they read
his gestures and realized he had seen a vision in the
temple. But unfortunately he was unable to tell them what
had happened.

 

The same will be true when he returns home to Elizabeth.
He will have to watch God's marvelous plan unfold, seeing
the dream he had long shared with his wife come true and
all the while finding himself unable to speak a single word
about it.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, I confess my doubt and unbelief. Forgive
me for Jesus' sake, and fill me with Your Spirit that I may
trust Your Word and praise Your Name forever. In Jesus'
Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

The angel said to him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the
presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to
you and to tell you this good news" (Luke 1:19).
Read Luke 1:19-25.

 

It took a lot of behind-the-scenes work for us to get
that pool table. Our neighbors let mom and dad
stored it unassembled in their garage next door.
Then late Christmas Eve our neighbor and my dad
carried it piece by piece to our basement, where
dad spent all the night putting it together. But you
never saw a group of happier boys surrounding a
pool table than that Christmas morning.

 

This also should be Zechariah's greatest day.
Instead, his doubt and skepticism blinds him to
the joy and wonder of all that God has promised.
So the angel reveals his name: Gabriel. A priest
like Zechariah should certainly recognize him as
the angel God had sent several times to share
His message with Daniel.

 

Beyond that, Gabriel reminds the foolish priest
that he has come from the very presence of God
Himself. He received these words directly from
God and has come to bring this great message
of good news.

 

God has made Christmas such a joyous season,
but just like Zechariah we so often let the little
things in life steal our joy, along with our voice of
praise and thanksgiving to God. Agonizing over
our problems and self-absorbed, we miss the
peace and joy that God is carefully working
everything out for us. We fail to see that if God
has sent His Son to take care of our most
important problems, i.e. saving us from death
and His fiery wrath, He will certainly take care
of our mundane needs as well.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

 Heavenly Father, I have every reason to praise
You and declare Your glorious name to everyone
I see. Please turn me from fear, anger and
bitterness and fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I
may joyfully share Your good news this
Christmas and always. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)