Week 4, Monday December 19
Luke 1:1-25
“Let not our lips keep silence”
We have a lot of fun telling the story of the day our second daughter was born. I was scheduled to have a c-section and on the way to the hospital, my husband and older daughter being hungry drove through Taco Bell to get some lunch. I was starving as I had been instructed not to eat or drink anything since I would be going into surgery at about 5:00 that afternoon. I thought that was cruel to have to ride to the hospital ready to deliver our second child with the aroma of tacos wafting through our car.
We all love to hear the story of… “Momma, tell us the story of how you and daddy met.” Or “Grandpa I want to hear the story of when you delivered the baby calf in the middle of a snowstorm.” Recalling these stories reminds us of special times and what came afterward. Me and my brother were born as a result of momma and daddy meeting and falling in love. The calf that struggled to survive that winter’s eve ended up winning grand champion at the state fair.
This is the story of the message the angel brought to Zechariah that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son. But the news was much grander than just having a baby in their old age. Similar to the message Mary received, the angel told Zechariah what they would name their son. The name John derived from the Hebrew Yohanan, means “graced by God.”
Their son would “be great in the sight of the Lord; before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit; he will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God; he will be filled with the spirit and power of Elijah; and he will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
The birth of John the Baptist was foretold by the prophets, Isaiah and Malachi. “A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Is 40:3) “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me.” (Mal 3:1)
During Advent, this story serves as a special reminder. Prepare for the Lord! The angel brought the news of the birth of John the Baptist and John brought the Israelites the news of the coming Messiah. Let not our lips keep silence as we ready our hearts and once again join John in his cry to prepare the way of the Lord. Amen!