Reading: Luke 1: 68-79
Reflection: This passage is Zechariah’s song. Zechariah and Elizabeth were John the Baptist’s parents. When Elizabeth gave birth to John, and announced to all that his name would be John, people were shocked. It was tradition to name your child a family name, and no one in Zechariah and Elizabeth’s family were named John. The people turned to Zechariah to see what he would say after his wife’s big announcement. And he gave the speech that we read today. The scripture said that the man was filled with the Holy Spirit. His speech is a prayer; it is a prayer blessing God for what God has done. When a baby is born, it’s hard not to be grateful to God. When my children came into this world, it was a great sight for me to see the miracle of a child being born. During my wife's pregnancy with both my daughter and son, we experienced pregnancy during the season of Advent. It gave me a new way to look at how Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and Elizabeth all felt when they were waiting for their special children. They, too, had to get the house ready for a newborn and plan schedules around an event that is so unpredictable. They, too, probably thought about their child’s life and what he would grow up to be. Just like these forebearers, I know how it is to put all your efforts into one human being whose arrival we’ve anticipated for nine months. And frankly, that’s what Advent is all about: to get us to turn attention to the baby Christ-child. To put all our efforts into Emmanuel, God with us, not only during these four weeks, but throughout our whole lives. It’s nice that each year in this holiday season, we are reminded to keep Christ central as we prepare for celebrations with family and friends. It’s nice that we are reminded that Jesus is the reason for this and all seasons and that we should approach his manger with joy in our hearts and songs of praise to sing every day. --Chad Hershberger, Camp Mount Luther Director Closing Prayer: Loving and gracious God, in this season of anticipation we look forward to the coming of your only son, the savior of all people. We remember your promises and walk forward with faith knowing that you love us, redeem us and sustain us. Keep us always in your kindly care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Authors
Anyone is welcome to contribute! If you'd like to write for us, please e-mail [email protected] Email
Get our daily devotions delivered to your e-mail box each day by signing up below:
Archives
May 2022
Subscribe |