Zechariah was startled and overwhelmed with fear. But the angel reassured him, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God is showing grace to you. For I have come to tell you that your prayer for a child has been answered. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son and you are to name him John. His birth will bring you much joy and gladness. Many will rejoice because of him. He will be one of the great ones in the sight of God. He will drink no wine or strong drink, but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even while still in his mother’s womb. And he will persuade many in Israel to convert and turn back to the Lord their God. He will go before the Lord as a forerunner, with the same power and anointing as Elijah the prophet.
Luke 1:12-17
Preparations are well underway at my house for Christmas. The Christmas tree and decorations are up, Christmas music is blaring from our digital speaker and I’m baking cookies...lots of cookies! Christmas will come whether or not I have finished the preparations. It always does. But my heart and household feel so much richer because the time has been taken to make those arrangements. It builds anticipation and longing for all of us. This is so much like the real life Christmas story.
It had been four hundred years since anyone had heard the Voice of God. A very long time...five generations...had come and gone. Nothing...until one day when an unsuspecting Zechariah drew the lot for temple service in the Holy of Holies. He was going about his duties when suddenly an angel appeared to him. (Ever notice that’s how angels always appear...suddenly?) He’s overwhelmed and afraid. Keep in mind he’s in the Holy of Holies. He’s already out of his comfort zone!
But the message was personal and reassuring. “Don’t be afraid, Zach! You’re going to have a son! You’ve waited forever and ever. You’ve prayed a long time. And now God is ready to show you His grace by giving you a son. And not just any son! This one is going to be special! He’s going to prepare the way for Messiah!!” (paraphrase is mine)
God could have skipped this part. He could have just announced to Mary and Joseph then later to the shepherds or magi. But instead He chose to bless a couple in their old age, answer their prayer and assign a boy (who would grow to be John the Baptist) the job of preceding Messiah! The angel was very specific. “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even while still in his mother’s womb. And he will persuade many in Israel to convert and turn back to the Lord their God.” (Luke 1:15b-16a) Zechariah’s son, John, moved by the Holy Spirit, would prepare Israel by turning back to God (repenting). His ministry would be one of repentance.
Israel had turned her back on God. Sure, the religious order of the day was quite meticulous when it came to religious traditions, but they were not necessarily God’s traditions. And God wanted hearts right and ready to receive His Son when he appeared on the scene in ministry. John, himself, put it this way, “I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” (John 1:31)
Preparation isn’t everything, but it’s so worthwhile and necessary! Our hearts wander so easily. We don’t readily receive Jesus into each our days as our Papa God would like us to do.
Remember our friend, Zechariah. He was given hope to hold onto while he awaited and prepared for the birth of his son. The message of repentance was part of that hope. As we prepare for the holiday of Christmas, ask yourself this question: where has my heart wandered and what do I need to repent of? Take some time. Meditate on it. Look for disconnect. Repent. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed to turn back in wholehearted devotion to God this Christmas season and, indeed, every season!
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