Unto us a child is born
When the whole assembly of the people was praying outside, at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.”
– From Luke 1
What prayer has been heard? Did I pray? Am I, high priest for these many years, going to ask for a child now that we’re too old to care for it? Elizabeth would make a terrific grandma, but she doesn’t have the energy to keep up with a child hour after hour every day. Is this your idea of a joke, Lord?
Of course Zechariah, high priest offering sacrifice in the holiest of holy places, didn’t say any of this. He might have thought it, though. No wonder he was afraid. First an angel appears on the right side of the altar of incense, then God reads his thoughts and finds them surprising, to say the least. So then the angel offers Zechariah the gift of sealing his mouth, so he can’t do more damage. Shut up, man!
And in truth, as Paula said this week in a talk at Restoration Urban Ministries, this heavenly silencing might have saved his marriage, and maybe even his life! After all, those two had been married for awhile. They already had plenty to say to each other, plenty of bones to pick, and now … Elizabeth pregnant?
How could Zechariah NOT put his foot in his mouth? Watching out for everyone and everything when he could really do nothing and Elizabeth surely had things well enough in control. Having a baby might have been new to her, but she had friends. What did she need the harping of a husband for?
So Zechariah was given the space to be still, to pray and rest in the love of his Father, and grow in grace. I imagine him becoming more beatific, hands folded over his belly, sitting quietly and watching, praying, smiling as the months roll by. God’s miracle, God’s gift, God’s words of blessing. Elizabeth’s womb is full.
Over the next few days, the lectionary texts share the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. There is much joy, as well as some trepidation, in these passages. I want to let them wash over me, and share that holy bath with you.
Can I get to know you better through these stories, Jesus? So many generations of desert-dwellers preceded John, and you too. Prophets prayed and swayed, fainting in the heat of your touch, calling out your words to their generations. Call out your words to us, Lord, and open my ears to hear.
https://www.davesandel.net/category/advent-and-christmas-devotions-2019/
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archive.php?year=2019
