Christian Reflection and Prayer

And Zechariah said to the angel, "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 delivering 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 creeps 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 Him 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.

 

THE 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.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

He will go before (the Lord) in the spirit and power
of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the
children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the
just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared
(Luke 1:17).     Read Luke 1:14-17.

 

The angel tells Zechariah his son "will be great before
the Lord." That's high praise for any of our children-
that God looks upon them as great. But John's
greatness is not because he is the son of Zechariah
and Elizabeth, but because he will be filled with the
Holy Spirit even before his birth. The Spirit will equip
him to accomplish his great God-given mission.

Zechariah is instructed to keep his son from drinking
wine or strong drink. John will live like a Nazarite of
Old Testament days. Nazarites were Israelites who
were set apart from the Israelites with their lives
dedicated to serving God and His people. They
demonstrated that separation by letting their hair
grow long and refraining from eating grapes or
drinking wine and other alcoholic drinks.

 

As the angel tells Zechariah, "He will turn many of
the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he
will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah ...
to make ready for the Lord a people prepared"
(see Luke 1:16-17).

 

John will expose our selfishness and show us why
we need a Savior, so we will trust in the promised
Son of God. It is He alone who will work out our
salvation in His perfect life and innocent suffering
and death. Clearly, it was worth waiting all those
years to have such a son as John.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord God, thank You for sending Your Son into
our world, and preparing people like Zechariah and
Elizabeth to be parents of His forerunner John.
Give me courage to walk with You in faith as You
order my steps. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

 

And you will have joy and gladness, and many
will rejoice at his birth (Luke 1:14).

 

Stringing up Christmas lights is hard work, especially
when you are on that ladder on a cold, windy day in
December. But it's all worth it when evening comes-
when you stand far enough back to take it all in, and
then ... you throw the switch. Those bright lights bring
such joy: a joy many of your neighbors will share too.

Now Zechariah stands in the presence of the holy
angel hearing amazing news. How wonderful it must
be for Zechariah to hear that he and Elizabeth will
finally have that child for whom they prayed so many
decades ago. They will finally hold him in their arms,
their long-awaited son. This child will be a source of
great joy, ending their sorrow, disappointment and
heartache.

 

God even handpicks his name: John. It means "The
Lord has shown favor." That favor is even greater
than the conception of this miraculous child
Elizabeth will soon bear; it rests in another Child-
God's own Son. That Son for whom Christmas is
named will bring us true joy and peace as He
removes our sin and guilt and reconciles us to God.

Zechariah and Elizabeth waited decades for the
birth of their son, but God's people waited
thousands of years for their Lord to keep His
promise and send His own Son to save us. John
will bring all these believers great joy because he
will be the messenger who will show the world God's
Son has come at last.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, fill us with the joy of this blessed
Christmas season, and drive away all our guilt, fear,
and sorrow. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)