“Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him 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. 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. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord . . . He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God . . . to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
      Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know that this will happen? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 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 1:10-20

Luke 1:10 “And at the hour of incense all the people were outside praying “

Zachariah, chosen by lot to offer the sacrifice of incense, steps into the sanctuary surrounded by the prayers of a gathered congregation. I wonder who these people were,  who waited, watched and prayed outside the sanctuary?

What prayers were being said for Zachariah? Did any, knowing Zachariah and Elizabeth’s yearning for a child, pray that God would bless them with that child? Whose prayers prepared Zachariah for the divine encounter waiting for him?   What other prayers gave him support and encouragement on that day?

In their waiting, did any of the gathered,  sense an angel’s presence . . . Even as Zachariah was met by the angel Gabriel, with a promise he and Elizabeth would soon have a son?  A son,  who would prepare the way for the Christ.

Was it only Zachariah’s inability to speak, that caused people to know something extraordinary had happened, in that sacred and holy space? Or were others touched in ways they could not fully define?

Did one return home to find a sick child restored to health, or discover new strength and courage for the day? Was Zachariah alone in receiving an answered prayer? What stories did others tell about the day Zachariah was silenced?

We know only Zachariah’s story, yet who else had a story to tell . . .  One that reverberated through the generations, because they were present, praying . . at the moment when God was changing human history, and making all things new? 

I wonder, who else felt the brush of angel wings?  

Prayer: Loving God, most of us will never meet an angel, at least not the kind that Zachariah met. Even so God, increase our  sensitivity to those Messengers among us, who speak your words of truth and wisdom. May the brush of angels wings touch each of our lives, as we walk this Advent journey. Amen.

Daily Devotions and other Christmas resources can be found at this Link – Devotions for Advent to Epiphany
   
Note:  The full story of Zachariah and Elizabeth can be found in Chapter 1 in the Biblical book of Luke.