Countdown to Christmas: Day Three

Silence. 400 years of complete silence.

Then in the fullness of time God breaks His silence!

Luke 1:5-13

He speaks to "a certain priest." Each of the 24 divisions of priests served in the temple for one week twice a year and at important festivals. Each priest could offer incense at the daily sacrifice only once in his lifetime. Remember your gospels and how the religious leaders of the day were anything but "righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." God purposely chose Zacharias. Could it be because Zacharias was willing to listen and hungering for God to speak? Could it be that even today that is to whom God will speak most, the one who is listening and longing to hear from Him?


"But they had no child...and they were both well advanced in years." There is no accident that this detail is mentioned. Remember the God of the OT loved working just this way. (Abraham and Sara and Hannah.) He was about to remind His people that He had not abandoned them, He was still very much alive and well and in control. He will also show that compassion for His people is still very tender and that He longs to act on His compassion.

The main duty of the priest was to pray for the nation. As the people gathered outside the priest would be inside praying on their behalf. He would be praying for His nation Israel. I believe that Zacharias was praying for with great fervency for the coming of the Messiah. I also cannot imagine him leaving this most holy place without praying earnestly for a son of his own.

So often when times are tough. When we have prayed and prayed and seemingly get no answer. We quit. We throw in the towel and just take a seat on the sidelines. That is not the picture we get from this couple. They are still serving God faithfully. Still hoping and longing for God. Don't stop praying. Keep hoping and don't grow weary in serving the Lord. His compassion is always towards your best interest. He does hear and He does see you personally. If you are in a season of silence know that it is temporary and only because he wants the next words He speaks to you to be received with great joy and belief.

There is Zacharias in the temple serving and praying when out of the smoke appears the angel of the Lord, Gabriel. What does God say to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John." Your prayer for the Messiah to come is a YES, the time is right! Then God says yes to that prayer that maybe they had given up on.

This Christmas don't give up on your prayers! Lean in to Him and hear His sweet voice speak personally to you His great and tender love. When He speaks believe Him! Serve Him faithfully trusting in His love in spite of the hardships you may be facing.

Merry CHRISTmas