No one was expecting that first Christmas . . . Certainly, not Mary and Joseph dreaming about their wedding, or their parents, who were making plans for the big celebration . . . Not shepherds, telling stories around a campfire . . . Nor magi in the east, looking for unusual movements in the heavens . . . Not Elizabeth, living her ordinary, everyday life.

Ancient prophecies aside, no one was expecting Christmas, especially Zechariah, when he was chosen to enter the holiest part of the temple.  There  he is startled by encountering an angel . . . A rare, frightening and surreal moment, where one questions the reality of one’s experience.

After calming him, the angel tells him, he and his wife Elizabeth  are about to have a longed for child. That child, the angel said, would one day prepare the way of the Lord.  Questioning the reality of the moment, Zechariah needed proof his experience was real, and loses the ability to speak. 

Sentenced to silence, Zechariah is left to ruminate and to wonder as Elizabeth became pregnant, followed by months to ponder what God was doing, and what it would mean for his son to be a prophet. He has weeks to reflect on God acting in the world, in his today. Through all that time, the angel Gabriel’s words echo in his mind. Zechariah, recognizes,  he has been visited by God’s tender mercy and compassion.

With the birth of his son John (later known as John the Baptist) Zechariah’s speech returns.  From  his mouth flows the exuberance, long waiting to burst out. After praising God,  he looks at his  newborn, son  saying:

“And you, my child, will be called Prophet of the Most High,
for you will be the Lord’s forerunner, to prepare his way”

 Seeing a future inspired by God, he names hope and promise,

“ For in the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from heaven will break upon us,
to shine on those who live in darkness, under the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:76, 78

Zachariah opens his mouth to speak of the great and wondrous things God was doing in their midst. For he has learned to see angels, and know them when they arrive.

Prayer: Loving God, May it be this Advent season, our hearts, eyes and spirits are open, to your work in this world and in our lives. That we too, might recognize your messengers, your angels among us. Amen.

Additional Advent Devotions can be found here:   Advent and Christmastide Devotions