December 1st: Zechariah
“Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.'” [Luke 1:18]
The story of the birth of Jesus begins with doubt. Zechariah has been fervently praying for a child. The angel Gabriel visits and reveals his prayer has been heard and his wife Elizabeth will have a son (John the Baptist). But despite praying to a God who can do anything and the presence of a celestial being, we find that Zechariah is holding so tightly to worldly logic–being too old–that he doesn’t have a free hand to receive his miracle. So God renders him mute, effectively removing the obstacle of Zechariah’s doubtful words, to give him the miracle anyway.
Lord, as we enter this advent season, mute the worldly logic that would drown out the miracle You promise us. Help us believe. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
December 2nd: Elizabeth
“‘The Lord has done this for me,’ [Elizabeth] said. ‘In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.'” [Luke 1:25]
Can you imagine the pressure of living as a woman in biblical times? When your value was tied to having children and barrenness was associated with a hidden sin or flaw? In this period of unfair judgment and pressure on women, God blesses Elizabeth not just with a child, but one who would be significant in His plan of salvation. At the same time He relieves the social pressure and disgrace she was experiencing. God is the giver of perfect gifts, tailored to each person and their unique circumstances. And Elizabeth is quick to praise God, to attribute this goodness to Him.
Lord, thank you for hearing our cries when we are suffering unfair circumstances. What matters to us, matters to You. You promise to be near to the brokenhearted. Help us to invite You near this advent season and lift our burdens in faith to You, no matter what they are. In Your precious Son’s name, Amen.
December 3rd: Angel Gabriel
“‘Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” [Luke 1: 36-37]
The name “Gabriel” means “God is my strength”. It is a fitting name for an archangel who is about to deliver confounding news. You would think the mere arrival of an archangel would inspire unshakeable faith, but both Zachariah and Mary receive the news with hesitation…and questions. Gabriel points them away from their own thinking and the logic of the world to a God who is who He says He is and who will do what He says He will do. After Gabriel assures Mary that God’s word will never fail, she humbly accepts the news that she will give birth to the Messiah. God alone gives them strength to accept the news and carry out His plan.
Lord, sometimes we need strength from You just to accept what Your Word says and truly trust in You. Build in us an unshakeable faith through a deepening relationship with You. Amen.
December 4th: Mary
“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.”
[Luke 1: 28-29]
I can relate to Mary’s initial response here. An angel appears with an opening statement that is superlatively positive and Mary is waiting for the other shoe to drop. But despite her misgivings, by the end of the conversation she faithfully and humbly accepts God’s message and the path He has put her on. She takes a leap of faith to trust God. We don’t have to have perfect reactions, perfect emotions in each situation to be a good Christian. It is our faith and obedience despite our emotions that counts.
Lord, help us to trust in You even as we receive news that is hard to wrap our minds around. Help us remember that we have Your favor and Your presence with us on the path ahead, wherever it takes us. Amen.
December 5th: Joseph
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” [Matthew 1:24]
Joseph, like Mary, hears Gabriel’s message and responds with obedience. He trusts God to lead him through impending ridicule, punishment, ostracization. This surely had not been his plan. This was not what he had in mind when he decided to marry Mary. But instead of white-knuckling his plan, his idea of how his life should be, he chooses to obey. He puts God’s plan above his own, even though it is the rougher path. We face that choice every day. Who or what is at the very top of our list? Because that will be the thing that influences us, that directs our steps.
Lord, help me to obey, as Joseph did, putting You and Your plan first. And in this busy season, help me create more quiet spaces, more listening spaces before You, so it is You who directs my steps and determines my path. Amen.
December 6th: Holy Spirit
“‘…he will be filled with the Holy Spirit before he is born.'” [Luke 1:15]
“‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'” [Luke 1: 35]
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” [Luke 1: 41]
The Holy Spirit is a main character in the Christmas story. He fills John the Baptist before he is born, is there at the conception of Jesus, causes John the Baptist to leap for joy in the presence of the unborn Savior, then fills Elizabeth and helps her to more fully understand the gravity of what is happening with Mary. How confounding that, today, the same Holy Spirit lives in all believers and connects us to the mind and heart, to the intentions and plans of God. If we will only stop to listen.
Lord, may we understand the gravity of what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Help us to be sensitive to His voice and all that He wants to reveal to us today. Amen.
December 7th: Mary’s Song
“‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me–holy is his name.'” [Luke 1: 46-49]
We get a window into how Mary is processing this miracle in her song. Through it she praises God, allowing all glory to rest on Him, counting herself as a humble servant. Imagine if this was any mother today. How tempting to announce the situation to the world, maybe try to take a little credit. “Your kid made high honor roll? Well, mine will be the Savior of the world.” But God chose Mary, in her circumstances, in her time, and the one trait that is repeatedly used to describe her is humble. Not capable, talented, perfect, athletic, intelligent, not a tiger mom. Humble.
Lord, help us remember to posture ourselves as your humble servants so that what we do glorifies you. Amen.