Getting Ready: Advent Reflections, Luke 1:23-25

‘When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

‘“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people.”’

Luke 1:23-25


Every week, Iona Abbey staff members lead guests and visitors on a pilgrimage around the small island. Towards the end, they arrive at what’s called the Hermit’s Cell: a ring of large stones tucked in the shadow of a hill, the remnants of a structure that may have been used by monks seeking solitude from activity at the monastery. On the pilgrimage, the group sits there quietly for a few moments, enjoying the presence of God apart from buzzing cell phones, the glare of computer and TV screens and the rush of daily demands.

In today’s passage, Elizabeth remains in seclusion for five months after becoming pregnant. We don’t know all of the reasons why she does this, nor do we know everything she does. But we do know one thing: she praises God in this time. She credits God with the gift of her coming child and she relishes in her joy.

‘The Lord has done this for me.’

Maybe she says these words over and over again.

‘In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people.’

Our four weeks in Advent are not as long as five months, but we too might consider how during this season we can spend time away from the activity of people and things to enjoy God.

It might be a few minutes each morning. It might be in the car or at the bus stop, waiting for traffic (Manchester’s rush hours provide several opportunities for this daily!). It might be whenever we manage some free time. Some may already do this.

As we do, let’s remember all that the Lord has done and is doing for us, and for all of this let’s give praise.