Getting Ready: Advent Reflections, Luke 1:11-13a

‘Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.”’

Luke 1:11-13a


Many of us know what it’s like to speak with someone who is not listening. If we are fortunate, we also know what it’s like to speak with someone who listens deeply to what we are saying, understanding even those words and emotions which we are not saying directly.

In today’s passage, the angel brings good news to Zechariah: his prayer has been heard. 

It seems that Zechariah and Elizabeth have been praying for a long time, likely many decades, for a child. It must have been a kind of inner groaning that would not leave, unlike the other cares and concerns of daily life. Their prayer was not just for a child, although that was central, but also for dignity and for God’s blessings for their present and future, all of which came with having a child.

What have we prayed over a period of time, whether days, months or even years? What have we asked God for, even if only with groans that cannot be put into words? How have we yearned for mercy and justice, whether for ourselves or for others?

Just as God heard Zechariah and Elizabeth’s prayer, God hears our prayers, especially those longings that come from our hearts for all that God has created us for.

We cannot say how or when God will answer. But we trust that God hears us. And it’s not just a surface hearing, where God nods his head at our requests but inwardly does not care. God listens and understands, knowing what we need even before we ask, and he responds in his time and in his way.

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.

Getting Ready: Advent Reflections, 1:5-7

‘In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.’

Luke 1:5-7


Often the people we look up to, whether they are people we know personally, in history or in other stories, not only have an amazing gift or strength, but also a great weakness which haunts them. Sometimes the very reason they inspire us is because of how they respond to that challenge.

Today we read about two such people: Zechariah and Elizabeth. They are righteous in the sight of God, following God’s laws completely. Still, they carry a burden: they are very old and childless because Elizabeth is not able to conceive. This brings great shame, as people in those days wonder if her condition is a sign of God’s displeasure. 

Elizabeth’s barrenness could turn them away from God in pain or anger. But instead, it draws them closer to God, and closer to each other, as they carry their pain and the pain of their community to God in prayer, and as they minister to the people around them.

At this point, neither Zechariah nor Elizabeth know what is in store for them. They simply live faithfully to God, trusting in him even when trusting is difficult.

Similarly, we cannot say what plans God has for us, what part we will play in his unfolding work in the world, what promises he may fulfil through us.

This Advent, as we prepare for Jesus’ return and for God’s kingdom to come in all its fulness, let’s learn from Zechariah and Elizabeth. May we too walk righteously and faithfully in God’s sight despite – and maybe even because of – our own disabilities, challenges and shame.

Getting Ready: Advent Reflections, Luke 1:3-4

‘With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.’

Luke 1:3-4


I said earlier that I love how Luke gets to the point in his introduction. But something I love even more about the beginning of his gospel is how personable it is.

Many people have written similar gospels, Luke says, so what makes his any different? The difference is his audience and purpose: Luke is writing so that his most excellent friend Theophilus would trust what he’s already learned about Jesus.

It seems Theophilus has heard some things about Jesus – the man who did amazing things, who died and was raised to new life, who was called the Son of God.

How can Theophilus know that these things he’s learned are true? According to Luke, the answer is through Luke’s friendship, expressed through his gospel dedicated to Theophilus.

Gospel communications abound in our part of the world today, whether in the form of popular preachers or YouTube videos or writings like this one. But how did you or I come to know the certainty of the things we had been taught about Jesus? Was it not largely through receiving the message from people we trusted? Was it not through seeing God working in the lives of people we knew, and through God working in our own lives?

Like Luke, let’s carefully investigate those places in our hearts and world where God is working, even today. And when we find them, like Luke, let’s share this good news with the Theophiluses in our lives so that they too may trust in Jesus.

Getting Ready: Advent Reflections, Luke 1:1-2

‘Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eye witnesses and servants of the word.’

Luke 1:1-2


I love Luke’s introduction to his gospel. He gets right to the point of saying what he’s doing: he's writing about how God has fulfilled his promises to Israel through Jesus Christ.

A short word on God’s promises to Israel. Long before Luke wrote his gospel, God told Abraham to leave his country and go to the place God would show him. God promised that he would bless Abraham and his descendants, protecting them against their enemies, and that through Abraham’s lineage all peoples on earth would be blessed.

It is this promise, Luke writes in his gospel, that has been fulfilled in Jesus, who is a descendent of Abraham. Through Jesus, God has blessed Israel, delivering Israel from its enemies. Through Jesus, God has blessed all peoples.

But this fulfilment of God’s promises did not stop in Luke’s time. We believe that God’s promises are still being fulfilled today through all who live in Jesus Christ. Through the church, which is Christ’s body, God desires to continue blessing all peoples.

As we study God’s work this Advent, especially in the lives of Zechariah, Elizabeth and Mary, I pray that we notice God’s work in our own lives – the ways God has blessed us through Jesus, and is calling us to bless the people and world we know.

What promises is God fulfilling among us, even today?