Expecting
68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— 72 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days." (Luke 1:68-75)
Through the angel, Gabriel, God told an elderly Zechariah that his also aged and barren wife, Elizabeth, would give birth to a son who would become a prophet. But because Zechariah questioned how this could happen for them, he was struck silent until his son was born. Only after agreeing with his wife to name the child John was Zechariah able to speak again. Interestingly, six months into Elizabeth's pregnancy the same angel visited her young, betrothed - but not yet married - niece, Mary and gave her a similar prophecy: she too would give birth to a son, and he would be an eternal king. Yet, when Mary questioned Gabriel, there was no penalty.
Recognizing the simultaneous blessing and challenge of their situations, Mary immediately went to be with her aunt. Upon Mary's arrival, Elizabeth prophetically addressed Mary's baby as her Lord and Mary praised God in song for using her to fulfill the promise God had made to God's people generations prior. Mary stayed with her aunt and uncle for three months and, when Elizabeth gave birth, Zechariah's first words seemed to continue Mary's song of praise. No longer silenced, Zechariah could not contain his joy over the role his son would play in the salvation of God's people.
Perhaps Zechariah was silenced because, as a priest - mature in faith and age - he should not have had any doubt about God's promise-keeping ability. Or perhaps Zechariah had stopped expecting God to do something new and this time of silence was a gift. This divinely imposed quiet time provided ample opportunity for Zechariah to notice God working and make the connection between God's ancient promises and God's active provision. In what ways have we become complacent or lost the eager anticipation for God to show up mightily? If we journey through this Advent season of waiting quietly reflecting on all that God has done, and nurturing excitement for what is to come, we may find our own song of praise.
76 "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
(Luke 1:76-79)
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