December 24 – Luke 1:57-66

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