Advent 2023 • An Unlikely Advent • First Tuesday

December 5th, 2023

Welcome to Day 3 of Advent —

Today I want to share some thoughts on the people not so popular but are essential people involved in the Advent story. I want to shine a light on Elizabeth and Zachariah and how they are working “behind the scenes” in preparation of the birth of Jesus.

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 

6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.

7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 

9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 

10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 

12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 

13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.” —Luke 1:5-15

I love verse 6, “Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” Here are two people joined together as a married couple and were childless. It would have been a custom and a dream to have children, heirs to the family name within their community. I would venture to say that many gossiped about Elizabeth and Zachariah as to the causes for no children. Verse 6 tells us about the character of Elizabeth and Zachariah, they were “blameless” in observing the Lord’s commands and decrees. Zachariah served as a priest in the Temple and belonged to the priestly division of Abijah and Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. These two were faithful servants of and to the Lord.

There are three distinct individuals “behind the scene” that precede the birth of Jesus. You guessed it, Elizabeth, Zachariah and John, their son. God, the Creator of all things, and makes all things work together for good; and so, setting the stage, if you will for Jesus’ arrival into our broken world.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

—Romans 8:28 (NIV)

As one can imagine, the news of becoming a father was quite surprising; in fact, the Bible tells us that Zachariah was “startled” and “gripped with fear.” This priest and faithful man of God, reacting in such a way! How many of us have had similar reactions to God’s power in our lives? God, loving Zachariah did not take the gift of having a son away, no but there was a price for his faith wavering, he became silent unable to speak. He was unable to speak until 8 days after the birth of his son while at the Temple for the circumcising and naming of the child.

Zechariah’s Song

⁶⁷ His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

⁶⁸ “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
⁷⁰ (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
⁷¹ salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us—
⁷² to show mercy to our ancestors
and to remember his holy covenant,
⁷³ the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
⁷⁴ to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve himwithout fear
⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

⁷⁶ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
⁷⁷ to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

⁸⁰ And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.” —Luke 1:67-80

Pondering Thoughts

I believe that God is working through all circumstances of my life, no matter what. I know for certain that God has never given up on me, through all my mistakes, bad choices and even the good choices. Because, like Zachariah my faith has wavered, I’ve had to learn lessons the hard way and I’m better because of the lesson. How about you (?) is God giving you a gift of something dreamed for or wished upon and you are a bit fearful (?), my friend…don’t be fearful, trust in God and you will see just how awesome our God is! We are all special and significant in God’s plan. Some of us are minor characters “behind the scenes” while others may be major character; makes no difference to me as we are all children of God, created by God, and made for God’s purposes. This life is not and never was about us, it’s about God and His gift to us. This season is not about gifts and pretty trees decorated, no not at all, the reason for the season is the birth of Jesus.

See you all tomorrow!

May you experience Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this Advent Season ~Charlotte ✨