In Light of His Word to Us

First Sunday In Advent

Luke 1:11- 16
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."

I watch a movie this weekend called Simon Birch. It was about a young boy with a birth defect that caused him to be small for his age. He was a small young man, but he was large in his faith. He believed God allowed him to live for a purpose. He believed he would be a hero one day and that is why he walked the earth. Simon Birch was made fun of for both this stature and his vision. He died age 12 as a hero. When I read the Christmas story I always see a challenge to personal faith. In the story of the birth of John the Baptist we have to different reaction to a very specific and detailed word from God. God had a specific purpose for John the Baptist and his parents play a role in the fulfilling of that purpose. Zechariah saw the angel deliver the message and did not believe. It was a wondrous promise and Zechariah demanded proof.
Elisabeth on the other hand did not see the angel, nor receive a specific word from the Lord. When she become pregnant she gave glory to God believing his hand was in it. She said "The Lord has done this for me," … "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people” (Luke 1:25)

As we begin the season of Advent, as we prepare our hearts and meditate on the Word of God, His specific word to us and the evidence of His goodness in our lives let is receive the movement of the Spirit in our lives with joy. As we light the first candle let us determine to let the evidence of His work in our lives shine as He seeks to complete the purpose of our life in us. Let His light shine in us.