Wednesday, 19 December

Luke 1:5-25

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest
named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a
descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous
before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and
regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was
barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest
before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the
custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense.
Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was
praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at
the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was
terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be
afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear
you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many
will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He
must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled
with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord
their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah, he will go before them, to turn
the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of
the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah said to
the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife
is getting on in years.” The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the
presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this
good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be
fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day
these things occur.” Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and
wondered at the delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not
speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He
kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service
was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived,
and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, “This is what the Lord
has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I
have endured among my people.”

Reflection

·        
How I am prepared for a direct
encounter with God?

·        
How much do I live life by
simply doing what needs to be done or what is expected of me?