"Shut it!"

Readings - Judges 13:2-7,24-25 & Luke 1:5-25 

We have these readings at Advent , to tell us that it is a time to renew our hope and confidence in God’s faithfulness to the covenant he made with the people of Israel and to each and every one of us...

In preparing the way for a Savior, we see the miracle of two barren couples who both, conceive and bear sons; Samson in the Old Testament (Judges 13) and John the Baptist in the New Testament (Luke 1:5ff). Both are called, by God, to bring hope and deliverance at a time of spiritual darkness and difficulty for the people of God.

The goal Advent is to prepare us for “deliverance” as well…. 

Zechariah was a godly man. He was tuned in to the voice of God. He was born into a priestly family and it was his privilege to enter the inner court of the temple to offer sacrifice to God. 

Luke tells us that the people wondered why it was taking Zechariah so long…They new something was up… And when Zechariah finally emerges, they were all amazed that he could not speak. They were right, something was up… While in the temple, He had a very special encounter with God… God’s angelic messenger greeted Zechariah with a blessing beyond his wildest dreams; "Your prayer is heard! You will have a son! And his mission will be great for all of Israel."

 Now to Zechariah, this must have seemed like a lot to take in all at once …When he questioned;  Could God really perform this miracle for his barren wife, Elizabeth?  The angel of the Lord put him right in his place; He made Zechariah a mute until the day that John was born.

So, what does this mean? How does this relate to us, to our Advent experience...?

Here it is; When God draws us into his presence, He wants us to be still, He wants us to be quiet. He wants us shut up and to listen (and actually hear) His voice as he speaks His desires to our hearts and reveals himself to us. He doesn’t want or need our feedback.

We have one week left. We need to take what little time we have left and let ourselves be drawn into the presence of God. Take focus on the Christ child, born in utter humility, The word made flesh in the most vulnerable form possible…. 

Empty your hearts and your minds…Be still, and quietly listen to what God is saying….

Aye Yours - Neis