The principal characters of Advent aren't picked from the elite, the powerful, the intellectual, or the well-known. Luke's Gospel reminds us that there were only a few people who were involved and none of them stood out in Israel at that time.
The Advent story begins with an aged Priest and his wife who we are told cannot conceive. Although faithful in serving, they were worn out by failed expectations. They begin the Advent story.
Luke 1:5-7
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
I think you'll agree...probably not the creme de la creme of Israel. To not be able to bear a child was a societal shame...often connected superstitiously with God's judgment on their life. The words that Luke adds makes sure we do not think their childlessness is caused by any failure on their part. Both of them "walked blameless...". They were like so many who wanted a child and could not conceive. Prayers flowed, but disappointment, anguish, resignation were all that came back. Weeks flowed into months, months into years, years passed and in all likelihood so did their prayers for a child. THEN, one day:
Luke 1:8-13
8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.
9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.
13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.
One Day...One day...life was normal, Zechariah awoke to find out he was on duty that day. He went to fulfill his responsibilities.
One day everything seemed as usual; but then everything changed. We've all had that "One day" experience, haven't we?
As Zechariah stands in the Holy place to burn the incense - offerings that signify the prayers of the people - an Angel stands to his right. Angels appear over and over in scripture, but not with the frequency we might think. When was the last time one had appeared before this? It was 500 years before to the prophet Daniel.
The "One day" this angel - Gabriel we will find out - appears alongside Zechariah, while he is burning the incense which signifies he prayers of the people, to tell him that God has heard his prayer.
What prayer? "I gave up praying for a son years ago", I can imagine Zechariah thinking.
But God heard...and God never forgets our prayers, and God never gives up.
Why now? After all this time, why now? Because God has a time and a purpose in answering our prayers, and for Zechariah the time and the purpose are for this son to be born:
Luke 1:15-17
15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
John - his name means "the Lord has been gracious". Your son Zechariah will come to tell his people of coming grace. He will "Prepare" the way for the Lord to come. How? He doesn't tell Zechariah. We find out that Gabriel has another mission six months from now that will explain the how. Right now, all Gabriel tells him is the WHAT.
"he will turn the hearts of fathers to children, and the rebellious to the wisdom of the godly."
Zechariah found out what we understand today. Advent means God is preparing us to receive his grace. He replaces our fears (like he did Zechariah) with news of grace; and he reminds us that his desire is that families all TURN towards his grace, love and light. Our turning towards God is an act of faith in receiving that Grace.
Peace
The Advent story begins with an aged Priest and his wife who we are told cannot conceive. Although faithful in serving, they were worn out by failed expectations. They begin the Advent story.
Luke 1:5-7
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
I think you'll agree...probably not the creme de la creme of Israel. To not be able to bear a child was a societal shame...often connected superstitiously with God's judgment on their life. The words that Luke adds makes sure we do not think their childlessness is caused by any failure on their part. Both of them "walked blameless...". They were like so many who wanted a child and could not conceive. Prayers flowed, but disappointment, anguish, resignation were all that came back. Weeks flowed into months, months into years, years passed and in all likelihood so did their prayers for a child. THEN, one day:
Luke 1:8-13
8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.
9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.
13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.
One Day...One day...life was normal, Zechariah awoke to find out he was on duty that day. He went to fulfill his responsibilities.
One day everything seemed as usual; but then everything changed. We've all had that "One day" experience, haven't we?
As Zechariah stands in the Holy place to burn the incense - offerings that signify the prayers of the people - an Angel stands to his right. Angels appear over and over in scripture, but not with the frequency we might think. When was the last time one had appeared before this? It was 500 years before to the prophet Daniel.
The "One day" this angel - Gabriel we will find out - appears alongside Zechariah, while he is burning the incense which signifies he prayers of the people, to tell him that God has heard his prayer.
What prayer? "I gave up praying for a son years ago", I can imagine Zechariah thinking.
But God heard...and God never forgets our prayers, and God never gives up.
Why now? After all this time, why now? Because God has a time and a purpose in answering our prayers, and for Zechariah the time and the purpose are for this son to be born:
Luke 1:15-17
15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
John - his name means "the Lord has been gracious". Your son Zechariah will come to tell his people of coming grace. He will "Prepare" the way for the Lord to come. How? He doesn't tell Zechariah. We find out that Gabriel has another mission six months from now that will explain the how. Right now, all Gabriel tells him is the WHAT.
"he will turn the hearts of fathers to children, and the rebellious to the wisdom of the godly."
Zechariah found out what we understand today. Advent means God is preparing us to receive his grace. He replaces our fears (like he did Zechariah) with news of grace; and he reminds us that his desire is that families all TURN towards his grace, love and light. Our turning towards God is an act of faith in receiving that Grace.
Peace
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