What do you remember at Christmas time, and what do you anticipate? Does either have to do with the promises of God? Who or what are you worshipping this Christmas? Will the object of your worship fade when the bills come due in January, or when disappointment and disillusionment set in?
In Luke’s Gospel we read two responses in the form of worship from John the Baptist’s father Zacharias, a Temple priest, and another from Mary, the soon-to-be mother of Jesus:
Zacharias doubted that God would do such a thing as give he and Elizabeth, both beyond child-bearing age, a son who would be used to turn the hearts of Israel’s sons and daughters back to their God. But the words of the Angel Gabriel came true, just as he said. After John’s birth, according to custom, their neighbors and relatives gathered to circumcise the infant when they heard Zacharias, moved by the Holy Spirit proclaim,
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; He came and set His people free. He set the power of salvation in the center of our lives…just as He promised long ago…Through the heart-felt mercies of our God, God’s Sunrise will break in upon us, shining on those sitting in darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death...showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace” (Luke 1:68-79 The Message).
Mary, of Nazareth, was also visited quite unexpectantly by the Angel Gabriel with news of an impending birth. She was shaken, because she was betrothed to Joseph and was still a virgin. But the angel told her there was nothing to fear. Gabriel said, “He will be great, the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and He will rule forever. There will be no end to His Kingdom.”
Gabriel also informed her of her cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Soon Mary would visit her and see for herself what God was doing. The two women rejoiced that God had chosen them and had given them the faith to believe the impossible. With exuberance Mary said,
“My heart is overflowing with praise for my Lord, my soul is full of joy in God my Savior…The One who can do all things has done great things for me. Holy is His name! Truly His mercy rests on those who fear Him in every generation…Yes, He has helped Israel, His child. He has remembered the mercy that He promised…to Abraham and his sons for evermore!” (Luke 1:46-55 Phillips Trans.)
Centuries later, what should our response be? Will we be skeptics, like Zacharias, or will we take it on faith, like Elizabeth and Mary, that God doesn’t forget His promises? Both women acknowledged they were merely humble servants singled out for an impossible assignment. Yet in Gabriel’s own words, “For nothing is impossible with God.”
Song of a Longed-for Savior
“Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free,
From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart…” -Charles Wesley
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