Scripture:

The scripture for the First Sunday in Advent tells the story of an elderly couple named Zechariah and Elizabeth. Identity was as important in previous societies as it is today. Luke tells us that aged Zechariah was an active temple priest. No retirement for him! And similarly we are told what gave Elizabeth her identity in the local community – she was “barren”. In today’s vernacular we would say she suffered from infertility. In Biblical times a woman’s identity was closely tied to the number of children. Being childless was a curse and a source of pity, scorn and unkindness from the other women.
– Luke 1:5-25

Devotional:

It is interesting to note that Zechariah and Elizabeth were both descendants of another aged infertile couple – Abraham and Sarah. It would appear infertility ran in the family! According to the story in Genesis 17-18 Abraham was reported to be 99, and Sarah was 90 years old. For both couples the baby train had already left the station. Both women were long past menopause. 

Then God enters both stories. In Luke’s story the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah while he was busy in the temple. Gabriel announces to Zechariah that Elizabeth would bear a son whose name would be John. In the Genesis story there are again heavenly visitors. First, God speaks to Abraham and promises that Sarah would bear a son. Perhaps understandably, joy and acceptance were not the first impulse of either father. Zechariah was stunned and questioned the angel. How can this be? For this disbelief he was struck dumb until baby John (the Baptist) was born. And Abraham went so far as to laugh in the face of God. Later, when three heavenly visitors arrive, Sarah, listening from behind the tent door, also laughed at the thought of her old wrinkled body giving birth. It is not surprising that Abraham and Sarah’s son was named Isaac, meaning laughter. 

Something to remember about both Abraham and Zechariah is that they were godly men. Earlier in Genesis by faith Abraham and Sarah pulled up tent poles in Harran and headed out to a land God said he would show them.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were also godly. They were cited as being “blameless, following all God’s commandments.” Yet after years of following God neither couple was ready for God’s next move in their lives. 

Annie Dillard says this well in her essay “Abundance”. “It is Madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping God may wake someday and take offense, or the waking God may draw us out to where we can never return.” 

How many of us are ready to say yes when God approaches us as we sit in church and go about our daily lives? What if we are called by God to do a new thing? Perhaps an exciting, outrageous thing? Are we too comfortable in our tried and true pious lives for God to get our attention?

Prayer:

For your prayer time this week go to your sacred space. Sit quietly and breathe slowly focusing on a word such as Jesus or a short phrase such as thank you. You will notice thoughts going through your mind. Don’t try to stop them. Just let them pass by without engaging them. In this space the Holy One of Advent will meet you. 

Sara Wuthnow is a retired professor recently relocated from NJ to be close to her children and grandchildren. She has practiced contemplative prayer for twenty years.