Christmas

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Christmas Reading Plan | Week 1 Day 4

Prayer

Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Ask God to give you His wisdom today.

Bible Reading: Luke 1:18-25

Read these verses three times slowly.

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Reflection & Questions

Yesterday we read of how the angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that he would have a child. And not just any child, a child who would be in the “spirit and power of Elijah.” The overwhelming nature of this whole situation shouldn’t be missed. Firstly, Zechariah was chosen by lot to go into the Holy of Holies, which was a special task that one priest was able to do each year. That is an amazing privilege and responsibility. There was also a fear factor – they tied a rope around you when you went in, just in case you were struck dead for doing the wrong thing. Secondly, when in there, he sees an angel. He’s already anxious, and then to see someone else in there, and an angel at that, was terrifying, which is why Gabriel told him in the verses yesterday, “Do not be afraid.” But then, in the midst of this moment, one of the most emotional spots in his heart is brought to the surface: his lack of a child. You might not blame him for being overwhelmed and for saying, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” But what this revealed is not a heart of faith, but a heart of doubt. He wanted a sign to prove that this would be so. It was not enough for him to be in the presence of Gabriel in the Holy of Holies. The sign he is given is his own silence – the inability to talk. It’s a rebuke of his lack of faith, but also a gracious sign – afterall he could have been struck dead.

Elizabeth has a different reaction and in her pregnancy declares, “The Lord has done this for me… he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace.” It is a beautiful picture of the Lord’s work. In the gospel, God takes away all of our disgrace, all our shame. He has shown us favor and it lasts forever.

1. What is the danger of our faith being based upon signs?
2. At the moment would you say you are trusting God’s promises or doubting them? How do you know?

Prayer

Talk to God in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?