12/6-
Second Sunday- Luke 1:21,22, 59-66
The people around Zechariah
21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. 59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” 62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
Thoughts: What were the people thinking who observed Zechariah? God was beginning to try to stir the people up. They immediately realized Zechariah had seen a vision when he exited the Temple mute. This, in itself was a hopeful sign, for visions and prophecies were scarce. God was showing them He was still at work despite the oppression and terror of the Romans and Herod. When Zechariah began to speak the minute he wrote “His name is John” everyone knew there was something special going on and something special going on with the child. God is not silent. He speaks through His Word and Spirit. The first way God spoke to the people was through a muted priest. Today He still speaks in surprising ways to tell us He is around and we should not forsake Him.
The people around Zechariah
21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. 59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” 62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
Thoughts: What were the people thinking who observed Zechariah? God was beginning to try to stir the people up. They immediately realized Zechariah had seen a vision when he exited the Temple mute. This, in itself was a hopeful sign, for visions and prophecies were scarce. God was showing them He was still at work despite the oppression and terror of the Romans and Herod. When Zechariah began to speak the minute he wrote “His name is John” everyone knew there was something special going on and something special going on with the child. God is not silent. He speaks through His Word and Spirit. The first way God spoke to the people was through a muted priest. Today He still speaks in surprising ways to tell us He is around and we should not forsake Him.
Prayer:
Lord, speak to us anew and wake us up to your presence.
Activity:
Think of the people you may know who do not take part in church regularly. Today say a prayer for them, and seek to
invite someone to Christmas Eve worship.
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