Which character in the Christmas story is speaking to you this year?

Bonnie Gray, The Faith Barista, asked us this question for today’s Faith Jam.

Most people focus on Mary and Joseph — rightfully so, but there are three other VERY important characters in this miraculous story of Jesus’ birth.

Luke 1:5-17
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.  Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.  But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,  he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.  And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.  When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.  But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.  He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,  for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.  Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.  And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Most likely, you have read these scriptures before like me, but the sentence I underlined had never stood out to me until this year.   Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were upright and blameless in God’s sight!   God found them faithful, yet they were in their old age before He answered their prayers.

Before our daughter was born, we had been married close to 16 years without a child.  I can definitely relate to the pain associated with being childless.   I remember receiving such rejection because the Bible states that children are a gift from the Lord.

God had a plan that was bigger than anything anyone could have imagined!

He knew Mary AND her family would need this miracle of Elizabeth’s pregnancy to believe and expect that what the angel told Mary was REAL and CORRECT.

Elizabeth was old.  We don’t know HOW old, but even if she was in her 60’s — just visualize a 60 year old woman pregnant today.  Or what about a 70 or 80 year old woman?

Luke 1:23-25
When his time of service was completed, he returned home.  After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.  “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Why do you suppose Elizabeth stayed in seclusion for five months?   I think she kept the beautiful gift hidden to keep the doubters and scoffers away.  This was a holy pregnancy and a holy birth.   This son in her womb was going to prepare the way for Jesus!  Not only did he prepare the way with his life — crying out for people to repent, but he also prepared the way in the womb.  His creation was a confirmation to Mary when she visited Elizabeth.

Luke 1:39-45
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,  where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

What a comfort and a confirmation to this young Mary!   Though it isn’t told, I’m sure it helped Mary’s parents to believe as well.

To answer Bonnie’s question — Elizabeth and Zechariah are on my heart this year.  Sometimes when it appears prayers aren’t being answered, we must realize that TIMING is everything!  John the Baptist needed to be born at that exact time because of his connection to Jesus.  Our lives are woven into time and woven into the lives of those around us.  Even the fact that you are reading my words is by no mistake.  God brought our paths together.

Are you still waiting for a promise to be fulfilled?  Be encouraged!  Remember this story and find hope!

Merry Christmas to you all!

May your Christmas and 2012 be full of faith AND the miraculous!

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(Photo credits: Bethlehem, Zechariah and the Angel, Mary and Elizabeth.)