Christmas Devotional: 12th December 2020
Luke starts his account of his events in a precise methodical way, fitting for his profession of a doctor. He dates the events to the ‘days of King Herod of Judea’. Life under King Herod was an incredibly dark time, particularly for God’s people. He is characterised as a paranoid tyrant who passed a decree to kill all the boys under the age of 2 year in Bethlehem (Matt 2:16-18).
In those times, a priest and his wife, Zechariah and Elizabeth, lived righteous lives, following the Lord and endeavouring to live blamelessly (v6). Elizabeth was barren and now, as an older couple, children were off the table. When Zechariah’s turn to offer incense in the sanctuary of the Lord came, he is surprised by Gabriel who tells him that ‘his prayer has been heard’ and that Elizabeth will bear a son – John.
John the Baptist goes on to bring joy to God’s people, and most importantly to turn the people of Israel rightfully towards the Lord, their God! John is no ordinary child. He comes into this world already named by God, filled with the Spirit and ‘great in the sight of the Lord’ (v14-15), to prepare the way and call those who have gone astray back to Jesus! This is a monumental moment, a highly anticipated event in Israel’s history, that Zechariah and Elizabeth will experience even at this late stage in their lives.
Instead of rejoicing that his prayers had been answered, upon hearing Gabriel’s message Zechariah is bewildered. God had heard his prayer (v13) and answered it. I wonder if Zechariah had not just been praying for a child, but rather for something much more significant. Israel had been waiting for God to bring light and hope back into this dark time that the Jews had been living in – and John was part of the answer to these prayers!
In response to Zechariah’s disbelief, Gabriel renders him mute (v20), unable to explain what happened to anyone until the events are fulfilled. This may have given him time to muse something along the lines of ‘Surely this is not God’s timing? It’s not possible – Elizabeth’s been barren all these years! If it is, how can I be sure? Spoiler: Elizabeth does give birth even in her old age. Gabriel is right – it does bring her joy, she realises the Lord has looked upon her favourably (v25).
God works in dark times, in unexpected ways, and in timelines that we do not understand. Though Christmas looks different this year, we are called like Zechariah and Elizabeth to continue living God’s way in our dark times. To keep waiting and never stop being expectant that God will use us.
Like Zechariah, God can respond to our prayers with unexpectant answers. In the face of surprise, confusion and chaos – we can respond in two ways.
Will it be a sceptical ‘How will I know…?’ or a faithful ‘Amen, I trust that you, God, are working to bring light into dark times’?