It seems fitting enough that we begin the story of John with an angelic encounter. If John is to be known as the messenger who prepares the way of the Lord, how appropriate that one of God’s angelic messengers (Gabriel to be exact) was sent to Zechariah, John’s father, with the news that he would finally be a son. And unlike Mary who received her an angelic visit in a remote town, this heavenly encounter takes place in the temple of God in Jerusalem. It reminds us that John’s ancestry comes with priestly roots, as his father is chosen by lot (a form of dice) to go and light the incense and offer up prayers of God’s people. It is here that Gabriel is sent with a message for the aging priest who has by now - probably resigned himself to the fact that he and his wife of many, many years, Elizabeth, will never know the joy of holding a child of their own.
A couple of thoughts come to mind quickly as I read these words. First, the thought of standing alone in the temple and having an angel show up certainly grabs my attention. There are many times I like to go into the sanctuary (or even the Activity Center) on an early Sunday morning and just stand in the quietness of those sacred places. Sometimes, I take a quick peek to make sure I’m all alone and I break into a verse or two of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” or “Shout to the Lord.” But let me tell you, if one of God’s heavenly beings would suddenly show up visibly with a message for me, I’m not sure what I’d do. I like how Luke says that Zechariah was “startled and gripped with fear.” I think Luke, who probably heard about this whole encounter via Mary, the mother of Jesus, was being kind. I picture Gabriel having to reassure Zechariah quickly so that the elderly priest would remain conscious to hear his message.
And secondly, the word that keeps coming to my mind is: “Chosen.” Zechariah is chosen from the many, many priests, to go in and light the incense. Chosen. Zechariah and Elizabeth are chosen to receive the gift a child that they had prayed for so many years. Chosen. The name for this child was chosen for them – a name that makes sense when we realize that it means “the Lord is gracious.” Chosen. The soon-to-be-born John was chosen to be the promised messenger who would prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah – i.e. the Christ.
I find that I need to be reminded of that word, “chosen” quite often. I too often fall into the trap of either feeling like my life is simply made up of a series of random minutes, hours and weeks. Or I find myself striving to map out the life of my choosing – informing God of the plans I have laid out for him to follow. I need to hear about a God who has chosen me. One of my favorite ‘chosen” passages is I Peter 2:9 that says:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Wouldn’t it be empowering to remind ourselves every morning of this Advent season (and beyond) that we too have been chosen to live out this faith and be a light in the darkness? That’s certainly a big part of having a “John the Baptist” Christmas.
A couple of thoughts come to mind quickly as I read these words. First, the thought of standing alone in the temple and having an angel show up certainly grabs my attention. There are many times I like to go into the sanctuary (or even the Activity Center) on an early Sunday morning and just stand in the quietness of those sacred places. Sometimes, I take a quick peek to make sure I’m all alone and I break into a verse or two of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” or “Shout to the Lord.” But let me tell you, if one of God’s heavenly beings would suddenly show up visibly with a message for me, I’m not sure what I’d do. I like how Luke says that Zechariah was “startled and gripped with fear.” I think Luke, who probably heard about this whole encounter via Mary, the mother of Jesus, was being kind. I picture Gabriel having to reassure Zechariah quickly so that the elderly priest would remain conscious to hear his message.
And secondly, the word that keeps coming to my mind is: “Chosen.” Zechariah is chosen from the many, many priests, to go in and light the incense. Chosen. Zechariah and Elizabeth are chosen to receive the gift a child that they had prayed for so many years. Chosen. The name for this child was chosen for them – a name that makes sense when we realize that it means “the Lord is gracious.” Chosen. The soon-to-be-born John was chosen to be the promised messenger who would prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah – i.e. the Christ.
I find that I need to be reminded of that word, “chosen” quite often. I too often fall into the trap of either feeling like my life is simply made up of a series of random minutes, hours and weeks. Or I find myself striving to map out the life of my choosing – informing God of the plans I have laid out for him to follow. I need to hear about a God who has chosen me. One of my favorite ‘chosen” passages is I Peter 2:9 that says:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Wouldn’t it be empowering to remind ourselves every morning of this Advent season (and beyond) that we too have been chosen to live out this faith and be a light in the darkness? That’s certainly a big part of having a “John the Baptist” Christmas.
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