Monday, December 9, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
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)

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Reflection

Advent is more than four weeks leading up to Christmas. It is an invitation to take a spiritual step back for reflection and prayer. Advent is a time of looking back and imagining, anticipating the future. The word Advent is derived from adventus, Latin for “coming” or “arrival.” What’s more, Advent can be a time wherein physical, natural, and spiritual worlds are permeable, a thin space as described in Celtic Christianity, a space where God is near.

The Advent story includes the Annunciation, the foretelling of Jesus’ birth, and before that, the foretelling of John the Baptist’s birth. Luke examines the significance of John. John’s parents, Zechariah, a Jewish priest from a priestly line, and his wife, Elizabeth, had long been without children and considered too elderly to conceive a child when the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah proclaiming John’s coming birth and ministry, his role in God’s story and, ultimately, in our story as God’s people.

The translation implies that Gabriel admonished Zechariah for questioning the word of God, striking him mute. I imagine Zechariah’s immediate surprise then recognizing the chain of events and greater significance set in motion by Gabriel’s news. I can imagine Zechariah completely dumbstruck. What was happening was God responding not only to a faithful couple’s prayers for a child but, even more, God responding to God’s people’s prayers for salvation. In that thin space, one of many of Advent, God’s message through Gabriel to Zechariah pretty much changes everything. Imagine it!

Upon John’s birth, Zechariah found his voice, immediately confirming Elizabeth’s name for his son, John, meaning “God is gracious.” Zechariah praised both God and God’s prophecy. John was an answer to his prayers and ours: prayers for the coming of the Messiah, delivering God’s love and salvation.

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Prayer
God of love and salvation, prepare us to hear and believe your news. In a world that can be heavy and dark, remind us of your promise to be with us, among us, to enter the world and our hearts again, filling us with your light, making all things new and whole. Amen.

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Written by Laura Sterkel, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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