The Story of Christmas, Luke 1:5-7

“During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old." Luke 1:5-7

Disappointment.  It comes in all shapes and sizes.  There is disappointment with others, friends, our spouse, family members, and co-workers. There is disappointment with ourselves for  how our lives have  turned out. Or not turned out.  Sometimes if we're honest,  there is disappointment with God.

Zechariah and Elizabeth may have experienced all of these over her inability to conceive and the loss of their youth.  Now, in their old age, disappointment was in the rear view mirror…yet it was always present. 

But God sends a messenger.  Not just any messenger.  He is the angel Gabriel, the "Sentinel” of God.   His message is simply the “advent”…something really important is happening.  Gabe, the messenger, is sent by God to prepare Zechariah and Elizabeth for the advent of their son, John, (also a messenger) who in turn was being sent as a messenger to proclaim THE Advent of the Son of God.  This is all sort of an elaborate “Save The Date” announcement by God.  

YET, in the midst of God’s preparations for the One Big Thing, THE Advent, there is something important that must be dealt with.  Zechariah didn’t believe.  Perhaps his disappointment in himself, in Elizabeth, in God all these years had crushed his faith.  Whether cynical or just resigned, Zech didn’t believe the Advent story.

In the midst of this glorious plan to visit earth in the flesh (a plan in the works for millennia) God stopped.  He stopped...to engage with Zechariah.  It was not enough to pull off The Advent.  There was the matter of two hearts to deal with.  Zechariah and Elizabeth, good people had lost hope and who needed to know that this Advent was for them.  And so, Gabe proclaims that Zechariah will be mute because he did not believe.  While this may appear to be punishment, it was rather a loving response to an old couple who needed their hope and faith restored.  And it would be.  Maybe not overnight but certainly over the next nine months.  As the baby boy in Elizabeth's womb grew, I suspect their faith did as well.  And hope was restored.

A God who does big things but doesn't think of our disappointments as small is big news.  And that’s an Advent message to get behind.