THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES

Honoring the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
by living a Christian life.
Creating objects d’arte in thread and words.



Friday, December 24, 2010

A Christmas Meditation

Gospel, Lk 1:57-66

57 The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son;

58 and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had lavished on her his faithful love, they shared her joy.

59 Now it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,

60 but his mother spoke up. 'No,' she said, 'he is to be called John.'

61 They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name,'

62 and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called.

63 The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John.' And they were all astonished.

64 At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God.

65 All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea.

66 All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. 'What will this child turn out to be?' they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

This scripture relates the birth of John the Baptist, a cousin to Jesus. A scant three months older than Jesus, he will enter his ministry first and direct the way of the Lord. As a Herald of the Savior Christ Jesus, John’s pedigree is not that of a high official. He is the only child of Zechariah, an aged priest, and his wife, Elizabeth, who is barren and advanced in years. They live a simple life in Judea. Until, as one of my sons might say, miracles happen.

Zechariah was a priestly man, older and pretty set in his ways. While fulfilling his duties as a priest, he entered into the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. This was something he’d done before, but that day it would be different. I can picture his body language when an Angel of the Lord appears to him. His and Elizabeth’s prayers are to be answered and she will give birth to a son, who will be called John. Zechariah wasn’t overjoyed at the prospect–they were old and babies were gifts to the young–who had more energy and more experience with children.

Doubt would’ve been a good response for Zechariah if it had been someone other than Gabriel, an angel of the Lord standing there. Gabriel wasn’t amused and immediately demonstrated his power by taking Zechariah’s speech until the events came true. Some people would consider this to be a major miracle, stopping a man from talking, but I digress. The events came true and Elizabeth conceived a child. Her cousin Mary visited and the babe in Elizabeth’s womb leaped in joy at the presence of the Lord, recognizing Mary as the Mother of Jesus, the Christ and Savior.

Time passed and the child has been born, a miracle of immense proportions, that certainly out does silence. The child is born and taken to be presented at the temple (read circumcised) and get his name. People have been ignoring Zechariah but they consult with Elizabeth wants to name the baby John. There are no Johns in their family so they sought out Zechariah, and no doubt shouted the question at him. My mother suffered from hearing loss and she could speak normally but it always amazed her people thought she couldn’t talk unless they yelled at her. Fetching a tablet he writes the child’s name is John.

Zechariah is released from his punishment as the prophecies have come true. He praises the Lord God for his fulfilling his promises and in honor of the miracles past, present and to come–an Angel appeared and spoke to him; John was conceived and born to a barren woman and her husband–likewise old; fulfillment of the prophecies concerning a Savior;

I was no Elizabeth or Sarah but I do remember my doctor writing on my chart at every visit–advanced maternal age. I can feel the joy Elizabeth knew at finally bearing a child. Like her I pledged my sons to the service of the Lord. I have faith the Lord will bless and protect them, just as Elizabeth and Mary did.

The story of the birth and presentation of the John the Baptist remains a stronger reminder that God is in control and his timing may not be our timing, but we are to wait upon the Lord, faithfully vigilant to his will, with praise on our lips and in our hearts.

Merry Christmas.

Bella

0 comments: