Advent Challenge Day 26
Expectations
Read Together
Luke 1:57-66
Light four candles and say together
Come, O Emmanuel.*
Reflection
It is so fascinating that the Christmas story in the Bible is not just the story of one birth, but two. You cannot read Luke's version of events without reading John's entire birth narrative as well as Jesus's. These two babies were linked, and the story of their parents matter to our faith, even though Zechariah and Elizabeth aren't typical figures in our at-home nativity scenes.
We are two days away from Christmas and I wonder if anyone feels a little like Zechariah? Zechariah has spent nine months in silence. He has been in silence ever since he experienced a visit from the angel Gabriel! His wife, who had been barren for so many years is now having a baby! There is so much to celebrate, and yet he hasn't had the words to share any of this news. Verse 62 indicates that not only could Zechariah not speak, but he was also likely deaf. While all these wonderful miracles were occurring around him, he was isolated from experiencing them with his family in a way he was accustomed to up to this point.
It had to be a disappointing experience. He wasn't expecting an angel or a pregnancy, but I'm certain he also didn't expect to experience those two massive events in his life while being deaf and mute.
Even if silence isn't really representative of your Advent season, perhaps the disappointment or the isolation is. This December has been particularly rough for many of us experiencing more restrictions to our holiday plans. Christmas is still happening, of course, and the miracle of the birth will be celebrated, but it might not be anything like what you expected or wanted.
When John was born, his community had expectations for him! He would be named at 8 days old, given a family name of course, and follow in the priestly footsteps of his father. There was simply nothing to discuss (and no one to discuss it with, since Zechariah wasn't speaking at all). Except, John wasn't someone they expected. He would be more prophet than priest, serving in the wilderness instead of in the temple. He'd baptize his people instead of offer sacrifices for them. Plus, he was definitely going to be that type of son that when you invited him home for a family dinner, you'd wonder when he was going to cut his hair and stop eating such weird food. (The Bible definitely says he ate bugs!)
But by this point in the story, right after John had been born, his father Zechariah was done letting his expectations limit him. He insisted upon the name the angel told him instead of the name his community expected. And at that moment, it was clear that Zechariah was trusting God. His quiet, limited world opened up and he could speak!
Sometimes it is our expectations that limit our perspective to see what God is doing. And God is always doing more than one thing. If your expectations have been dashed this Christmas, use that to meet God. See how He can use those dampened expectations as an opportunity for unexpected new life.
Talk About
- What Christmas expectations are you holding on to that are holding you back from experiencing the peace and joy of the season?
Pray Together
O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.*
Amen.
Put it in Action
If this Christmas isn't shaping up to be all that you had expected, come up with a new tradition to start! (Or, maybe consider a tradition to let go of, if you're already overwhelmed).
* During the final days of Advent, we will pray seven ancient prayers based on biblical prophesies about Jesus called the O Antiphons. Each prayer begins by addressing Jesus with one of the titles used for Him in Scripture.