Have you been hoping for something for a long time, something very important to you or someone you love, and the time just seems to march on with no results? Have you asked God for help but feel that he isn’t answering your prayers? If God answered your prayers, were you grateful and full of praise? To me, this passage speaks to the need for all Christians to hold onto their hope for God’s response to his believers and to rejoice with others knowing that God is always present. God has mercy for those who believe and gives us hope, both on a personal level and on a grand scale.
In this story of the birth of John the Baptist, the Gospel is recounting two hope inspiring events. The first is the birth of John the Baptist to Elizabeth and Zechariah, a couple who have been barren for many years. In their time, it was viewed as a disgrace that a married couple remained childless. The opinion of the time would have been that God did not look upon the couple with favor. In this passage, we learn that God listed to the hope of two specific believers, for a child, and responded to them on a personal scale. I also think that it is important to note that in fulfilling the hopes of Elizabeth and Zechariah, God not only fulfilled their personal hope but the hope of many others through the birth of the messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord. On a grand scale, the passage is the final preparation for the fulfillment of the promise of the coming of Immanuel.
In addition to providing confirmation that God responds to the faithful, this passage also reminds us of the need for us to acknowledge God’s work among us. Upon confirming his son’s name to be John, Zechariah regained his speech. Immediately, upon regaining his voice, Zechariah begins to praise God. Those who attended John’s circumcision rite, no doubt, were quite familiar with how Zechariah became mute (Luke 1, 18-23) and were awestruck when he regained his voice. Word traveled quickly, throughout Judea of this monumental event. Zechariah’s deep faith is again an example for all believers – have hope and speak of God’s mercy for all to hear.
Let us pray. Dear God of Hope, make me a Zechariah, full of belief and hope, that my eyes may see your miraculous works and that my mouth may be opened to proclaim Jesus’ love to all. Amen.
by Dawn Bracken
Monday, December 22, 2008
December 23 – Luke 1:39-56
Mary's song of Thanksgiving
Mary pours out her thanksgiving and wonder at the generosity of God at a time in her life when she is venerable. A young, pregnant woman just beginning to understand how God has blessed her and her heart overflows with joy. I love the way Mary's words can come to us from so long ago and mean so much to us personally. Mary's words are words of a disciple of Christ, one who has give all over to God. And from this place it seems like it was effortless. We know it could not have been. Young and unmarried, certainly she heard the whispers behind her back. Yet, she remained focused and joyously thankful. I pray to have the same single-minded thankfulness today.
by Kim Hoffman
Mary pours out her thanksgiving and wonder at the generosity of God at a time in her life when she is venerable. A young, pregnant woman just beginning to understand how God has blessed her and her heart overflows with joy. I love the way Mary's words can come to us from so long ago and mean so much to us personally. Mary's words are words of a disciple of Christ, one who has give all over to God. And from this place it seems like it was effortless. We know it could not have been. Young and unmarried, certainly she heard the whispers behind her back. Yet, she remained focused and joyously thankful. I pray to have the same single-minded thankfulness today.
by Kim Hoffman
December 22 – Luke 1:26-38
One of my favorite Advent carols tells the story of the visitation of the angel Gabriel to Mary. The story speaks for itself but makes me ask myself: When God invites me to do something for him, do I respond with the humility and joy and deep faith of Mary? Thinking about the unexpected appearance of the angel and the incredible request from God makes me realize how much more I need to become like Mary. As she meekly bowed her head and spoke with gentleness of praising and magnifying God’s holy name to do whatever pleased God, we indeed celebrate and honor her as the most highly favored lady.
The angel Gabriel from heaven came, with wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame: “All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary, most highly favored lady.” Gloria!
Holy child of Bethlehem, make me more like Mary, willing to do whatever you ask. Amen.
by Lou Schaffer
The angel Gabriel from heaven came, with wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame: “All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary, most highly favored lady.” Gloria!
Holy child of Bethlehem, make me more like Mary, willing to do whatever you ask. Amen.
by Lou Schaffer
December 21 – John 3:16-21
God sent his son Jesus not as Policeman, but more of a Social Worker, not to punish but to encourage us to do the right thing.
by John Shober
by John Shober
December 20 – Malachi 3:1-18
Advent is a time of anticipation. We anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ by recalling His coming as an infant in Bethlehem; by experiencing His coming to us now in Word and Sacrament and prayer and Christian community; and we watch for His coming again at the end of time with the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.
Advent might also a time of apprehension. The Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds remind us of the scriptural truth that Christ will not only “come again,” but will also “judge the living and the dead.” This text from Malachi suggests this judging will be as though the Messenger of the Lord will refine us from impurities and launder us from and unrighteousness.
Am I concerned about this judgment? Certainly. To be refined and laundered sounds painful – like having deep wounds irrigated so that they might heal. But I am not afraid – the healing does come. After the scrubbing and elbow grease, after the spit and polish, forgiveness cannot be far behind.
by Pastor Greg
Advent might also a time of apprehension. The Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds remind us of the scriptural truth that Christ will not only “come again,” but will also “judge the living and the dead.” This text from Malachi suggests this judging will be as though the Messenger of the Lord will refine us from impurities and launder us from and unrighteousness.
Am I concerned about this judgment? Certainly. To be refined and laundered sounds painful – like having deep wounds irrigated so that they might heal. But I am not afraid – the healing does come. After the scrubbing and elbow grease, after the spit and polish, forgiveness cannot be far behind.
by Pastor Greg
December 19 – Jeremiah 33:14-16
In the Hebrew scriptures, righteousness is not so much a moral virtue as the fulfillment of the responsibilities of a relationship among people or with God. God acts righteously in speaking against Israel's faithlessness and in working salvation for them. In today's reading, Jerusalem's future name -- "The Lord is our righteousness" -- serves as a sign that the Lord is even now working salvation for the people.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2008 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23725.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2008 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23725.
December 18 – Isaiah 52:7-12
These verses give us a picture of a messenger running down a mountain with the good news to Jerusalem and his reign as King. That’s a good enough reason to consider feet beautiful, and it makes me think of the importance of how our feet help us “put our best foot forward” for Advent.
How have we “gotten things moving” recently? Have we walked up to witness to someone who wants to hear about God or been inspired to take action when God is being criticized?
We can take our cue from Jesus, who took the trip down to earth to walk in our shoes and travel along our roads and cover the countryside to spread Good News. May our feet – like Christ – be beautiful because of the blessings God allows us to share.
O Christ, help us to “put some feet under our prayers” by walking always in the ways you lead us.
by Lou Schaffer
How have we “gotten things moving” recently? Have we walked up to witness to someone who wants to hear about God or been inspired to take action when God is being criticized?
We can take our cue from Jesus, who took the trip down to earth to walk in our shoes and travel along our roads and cover the countryside to spread Good News. May our feet – like Christ – be beautiful because of the blessings God allows us to share.
O Christ, help us to “put some feet under our prayers” by walking always in the ways you lead us.
by Lou Schaffer
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