Getting Ready: Advent Reflections, Luke 1:8-10

‘Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshippers were praying outside.’

Luke 1:8-10


Something I appreciate about our church is our understanding that all of us are called to ministry. It’s not just pastoral team members that are ministers: potentially all of us are ministers serving God and God’s world, such as through caring for those who are unwell, teaching students, working hard at administration, serving customers or sharing Christ’s love to the people God puts in our lives.

But we also know that we can’t do this alone.

In today’s passage, Zechariah goes into the temple to do his priestly duty, which at this time is to burn incense. But Zechariah is not the only one doing ministry. All those who gather to worship on that day are ministering by lifting up their hearts to the Lord – perhaps even praying for Zechariah and his work.

We could spend this time exploring how we relate to Zechariah, but instead I’d like to ask how we might relate to the assembled worshippers. How can we, like they, support someone else’s calling? Who in our church community, like Zechariah, needs our prayers for their work and ministry today?

Later, when Zechariah comes out of the temple, the worshippers learn that he has experienced something incredible in there. But before that, everyone’s focus is on prayerfully waiting for God.

This Advent, let’s remember to pray for others in their work and ministry, whatever that may be. As we do, we may find that, without our knowing, God is doing something amazing.