Wednesday, December 7, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
Luke 1:57–66

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. (NRSV)

Reflection

It is a story I have heard many times growing up in church. So much so that I tend to gloss over it. A thing that happened, cool, now let’s move on to the birth of Jesus! But as I sit with this passage today, I try to imagine being one of the community members who shows up that day to celebrate the birth of a baby to this elderly couple. I am here to celebrate with a couple who have for so long prayed for a baby. But maybe I have some doubts about the couple’s ability to care for a newborn. After all, in the last nine months, Zechariah has lost his ability to speak, and I probably assume that was due to age, not a result of his lack of faith in God. Now Elizabeth is saying the baby is to be named John? Everyone expected the baby to be named after Zechariah or at least a family member. People try to get Zechariah to intervene. Instead, Zechariah writes “His name is John,” and suddenly he is able to speak again and is praising God.

So many unexpected and surprising things happening: it would be a lot to take in. Challenging preconceived notions of the way things are, John’s birth is just the precursor to things to come.  

What things that we just assume are the way it is in our lives and in our society should really be challenged? Are we not living fulling into God’s plan for us because of our expectations of what is and is not possible? 

Prayer

God, help me to keep an open mind, to have faith that through you all things are possible. Give me the wisdom to accept that I know so very little and the patience to grow and be challenged by things changing. Amen.  

Written by Katie Patterson, Youth Ministry Program Manager

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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