Hello  ,

9 Days from Christmas

8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 

14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 

17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

18 And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."  Luke 1:8-18

Have you ever wanted anything so badly that you would have done just about anything (within reason) to get it?  I have heard from a number of ladies over the years, that there is a powerful longing to have children felt by some women.  Some would call it "the biological clock ticking," but whatever you might call it, it seems that some females have a burning desire to bear children.  

Many theologians and historians tell us that in Bible times, having children was considered a "status symbol" if you will.  Those that had children were considered blessed of God, and those that didn't struggled with why God would allow them to be unable to bear offspring.  Being barren was sometimes considered to be a curse from God, and yet in yesterday's passage we see that the Bible makes it a matter of point to specify that Zacharias and Elizabeth were a "God-fearing" couple that kept God's commandments.  

Have you ever watched people who don't even claim to know God and wondered why they seem so blessed, and while others that claim to follow the Almighty don't do quite as well?  

God is about to do something miraculous in the lives of these two older people, and an angel has shared the news that Zacharias is going to be a daddy.  He's understandably more than a little flustered, and tomorrow we'll watch this story unfold even more.

Have a great day and God bless!

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Pastor Mike / The Open Word