Luke gives us quite the introduction to Zechariah and Elizabeth!
6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
Luke 1: 6-7 (NIV)
We had a visitor who expressed his opinions over world events and his emotional state concerned us. As he continued to pour out his heart, I prayed, “Lord, give us wisdom. Help us with the proper response.” I realized he did not need nor was he interested in our response. He just needed someone to listen. We heard great fear in his words. The fear we see in the world today is not so far from the fear experienced at the time of the first Christmas!
Billy and Ruth Graham wrote the following about fear at the time of Christ’s birth, “The Romans feared rebellion and their subjects feared Rome’s power. The Sadducees feared the Pharisees, and they both were suspect of the publicans. The hearts of people everywhere were filled with suspicion, fear, and distrust.”₁
Our bellies were full from our Thanksgiving feast and before the dishes were cleared we jumped right into the discussions and planning of Christmas. Every year I’m tempted to allow the busyness of the season to distract me from fully celebrating the real meaning of Christmas – the birth of Christ.
A slight struggle broke out in the middle of the store between me and the 20-lb. frozen turkey I was trying to place into my grocery cart. It made me laugh out loud then I couldn’t wipe the ear to ear smile off my face. The thought of the aroma of that turkey, and the laughter of family soon to fill my home, made me feel incredibly happy. Me and that turkey had a moment right there in the store. Every person passing by smiled at me as if my smile had become as contagious as a yawn. Thanksgiving was coming and so was my family – so I thought.
As we drove home from Nashville, I looked up and commented on the beautiful trees. My husband smiled, “Yeah, I’ve been noticing them.” But here’s what he didn’t say, “We are half way home, those trees have been all along the drive and you are just now noticing!”
The previous day was cold and rainy so we took the grandkids to the mall. Me, Steve and the three grands headed to the play area while our daughter and son-in-law gladly went off on their own.
On the way, I made a quick stop into a kid’s clothing store. A young lady greeted me. I said hello and smiled and continued with my task. A few moments later I saw my daughter! It startled me, “Oh, Hi! What are you doing here!” She smiled at me and said, “Mom, you just saw me at the front door. You spoke to me and you smiled at me.”