Tuesday 19 December 2023

Today is Tuesday the 19th of December, in the third week of Advent.

Paul Zach sings, ‘When the Light is Gone’.

The tender mercy of our God still holds us when the light is gone
His guiding hand and guarding rod are with us as we wait for dawn
O, though sorrow entered with the night
O, yet even now we know his light
His love is steady as the stars, whose ancient light is burning still
He walks beside us in the dark, the emptiness within us fills
O, though night is long he's with us now
O, in mercy's everlasting hour
As every night will have its end, we know the sun will have to rise
Our loving lord will take our hands and wipe the tears from every eye
O, for Christ has come, the day draws near
O, and even now he meets us here




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Today we listen, just once through, to a long reading about the birth of John the Baptist. Notice God’s providence at work: slowly, patiently, preparing the way for the coming of John, and of Jesus . . .

Luke 1: 5-25

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 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 must never drink wine or strong drink; even 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. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? 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.’

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’

From our perspective we can see God at work in the lives of Elizabeth and Zechariah. However, consider all those long years of social stigma - without a child. What might that have been like for them? . . .

Then, beyond what they could have conceived, they finally conceive. Zechariah is struck dumb. What do you imagine is going on for them in all of this? . . .

Consider your own experience of unanswered prayer, of barren times, of bewilderment at what sometimes happens in life . . . Let Elizabeth and Zechariah come to you and be with you in this . . . What do they want you to know?

What hope, within you, is God wanting you to notice? Where does hope reside in your body? With your hand, touch that place and give it your loving attention . . .

O Wisdom
Lord and Ruler
Root of Jesse
Key of David
Rising Sun
King of the Nations
Emmanuel
Come, Lord Jesus