Advent 2017

5th December 2017

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn't believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home.



"How do we react to the promises God makes unto us? In delight do we seek a keepsake? Or in doubt do we demand proofs?

...God is faithful. God is trustworthy. God is unlike the world altogether. Unto faith, God grants signs in abundance: rainbows, pillars of fire and cloud...and this sign: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Now if Zechariah were trusting the good news of the messenger, Gabriel's next words would fill him with immortal delight, for by them the old priest would realise that he is seeing the one who sees the face of God...But Zechariah is MIStrusting, DISbelieving. His question is meant literally. "How shall I know this? By what proof shall I know the truth of this news?"

"I stand in the presence of God" in this care sounds terrible, for it means: God sends this news! It is God whom you mistrust!

...the Lord says, "Surely I am coming soon." (Rev. 22:20). And what do you say to that promise? Jesus says, "I am coming soon!" And how do you respond?"

Preparing for Christmas, W. Wangerin Jnr.

TFL!
Bernie x

Advent 2017

4th December 2017

Luke 1:13-17

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.

"Who knows when Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed the prayer the angel mentions? By now they had probably forgotten the prayer itself. But...God does not forget our prayers. It is in the fullness of time that He answers them...when to answer at all does the most good for the most people!

And...you thought your older prayers had gone unanswered...and you thought your personal praying had nothing to do with anyone besides yourself and a handful of intimate folk...but your prayer is never yours alone. It is also God's, you know."

Preparing for Christmas, W. Wangerin Jnr

TFL!
Bernie x

Advent 2017

3rd December 2017

Luke 1:8-13

Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid...

"O Father, when you see that the world is too much with us...rouse us. Stir up our hearts. Let Heaven intrude upon our earthly affairs to rip our attentions from the world to You again.

Christmas is such an intrusion. At Christmas Heaven invaded the world."

Preparing for Christmas, W. Wangerin Jnr.

TFL!
Bernie x

Advent 2017

2nd December 2017

(December Devotional as Advent starts later than Dec. 1st)

Luke 1:5-7
In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zechariah who belonged to the division of Abijah. He had a wife descended from Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous in God's sight, observing the commandments and ordinances of the Lord without the least blame. Nevertheless, they had no children because Elizabeth was barren. They were very old.

My inspiration came from this passage, imagining Zechariah and Elizabeth wondering how they could have remained childless despite doing their utmost to live righteously.
TFL!
Bernie x