Advent Devotion Week 3 Day 4
Zechariah, the Angel Gabriel, and Luke 1:5-25
Week 3 of Advent continues as Zechariah, future father of John the Baptist, struggles with the Angel Gabriel's news of new life. The following four steps offer several opportunies to engage Zechariah's story. Feel free to pick and choose what works for you.
Step 1: Read Luke 1:5-25.
Step 2: Enjoy the Reflection on Luke 1:5-25
"Then there appeared to (Zechariah) an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him" (Luke 1:11-12).
Zechariah, the priest, enters the temple to worship God. He's alone, as the other believers are praying outside the temple, and likely he had made such offerings many times before without the slightest glitch. Then, God happens.
"But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John" (Luke 1:13).
Again, the impossible becomes possible with God. Zechariah's wife Elizabeth, who's past child bearing age, is going to have a baby. The world, as Zechariah knows it, is turned upside down. No wonder Luke describes Zechariah as terrified and overwhelmed with fear!
Whenever God tries to work in the world, God challenges the expected, the norm, the way things are. An elderly couple having a baby, another, engaged virgin, pregnant with the first baby's cousin, angels startling people in the midst of their daily routines with messages of hope and new life, a plan, in place, to save the world- what will God manage next?
Zechariah leaves the encounter with the angel Gabriel changed. He stumbles out of the sanctuary unable to speak, for the angel told him, "but now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur" (Luke 1:20).
Sudden encounters with God do indeed have consequences. One may lose the ability to speak out of fear or awe, like Zechariah, or find oneself confused or disoriented. Whenever change happens, it is at first unsettling and feels odd.
As the angel Gabriel and other angels continue to do God's bidding, sending messages to change lives and bringing unexpected news, let all who receive the message of Jesus' coming birth rejoice in God's power to make the impossible possilbe. Amen.
Step 3: Reflection Questions on Luke 1:5-25
1. Recall a time in your life when, like Zechariah and Elizabeth, you felt God calling you to something impossible. How did you respond? How did the experience change your faith?
2. Re-read Luke 1:5-25, looking carefully at how Luke foretells John the Baptist's future life and ministry. What characteristics Luke describes are part of the call of all Christians? What characteristics are possible for you or impossible? Why?
Step 4: Closing Prayer on Luke 1:5-25
God of new life, who gifted Zechariah and Elizabeth's old age with a long-desired son, hear all the prayers of your people who seek the deepest yearning of their hearts. Bring new life through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Other Suggestions for Advent Prayer
"With the spirit and power of Elijah (John the Baptist) will go before (Jesus), to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17). How might you, with your resources and gifts, prepare for Jesus as Christmas nears?
For other daily Advent devotions, see Advent Devotion Week 3 Day 3 God Makes the Impossible Possible. or Advent Devotion Week 3 Day 4 Birth of John the Baptist and Welcoming Jesus.
SOURCES
Holy Bible. NRSV. Oremus Bible Browser. 2008
Zimmerman, Mark. Stirring Up Advent. Creative Communications for the Parish. 2008.
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