receive

Unbelieving mute Zechariah was a herald of Advent. In fact, he was the first one to be told of the imminent birth of the Messiah. He went into the Holy of Holies one of 20,000 some-odd priests, sonless, old, perhaps cynical. He came out with knowledge of the spiritual importance of his day but without words. 

In the past few days, I have felt the muteness of Zechariah. His unbelief rendered him mute. And I suppose my unbelief stopped my words for a while. My only policy regarding blogging is that I only write when I feel like I have something to say. When days go by or weeks, you can assume that I have nothing.

Who could add any words to the events in Connecticut? Now is a good time to be mute. 

I only add my voice now to remind us that God chose Zechariah, doubting and mute, to be the first with knowledge of his upcoming plans. It is just like God to then render him unable to communicate that knowledge. 

When Isaiah pronounced the plans of God to redeem in chapter 7 verse 14, he said “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.” Isaiah had been working on King Ahaz to put his trust in God rather than a large and capable army. Assyria was breathing down the king’s neck, and Isaiah promised him a baby. 

Isn’t this how God deals with us? He gives us gifts we don’t think we need. He leaves our questions unanswered. He points out that our solutions are less than water-tight. 

And He gives us Himself. 

I often make the mistake of believing in a Norman Rockwell version of Christmas. The manger held no such nonsense. Jesus chose to begin his spiritual invasion of earth in a stinky and uncomfortable manger. Why would I want and even crave a peaceful idyllic scene as the way to celebrate his birth?

These recent events certainly remind us that “Peace on Earth” is a prayer and not yet a reality. God reminds us that we are not as self-sufficient and spiritual as we think we are. We are dependent on grace. We are the receivers this Christmas.

Oh to only offer empty hands and receive.