Zechariah was a priest, and his wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron’s priestly line. Both were considered righteous. They were “advanced in years” and had no children, but they were also both concerned about God’s great plan and purpose.

Zechariah was chosen to perform one of the highest (once-in-a-lifetime) priestly duties by burning incense in the temple. During this opportunity, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him not to be afraid that his “prayer had been heard.”

There is some debate about what the prayer, which had been going on for some time, was about. Some assume it was for a child, but it was probably about God’s plan and purposes for Israel. It had been 400 years since God directly spoke to His people through the prophet Malachi. (See Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6)

Gabriel informs Zechariah that Elizabeth will have a son and play a major role in God’s plan. Zechariah asks, “How will I know this? (Like many humans, he remains unsure.) Gabriel informs him that he cannot speak from this point until the child is born. 

Two questions to ponder:

1. Why would Luke begin his Gospel story with this account? Luke shows that God’s salvation will enter the world through the miraculous birth of a baby. He chose to enter humanity itself to redeem humanity.

2. How does this text help me live well as I enter the Advent season? It reminds me of God’s great plan and purpose. The Christmas season tends to amplify things going on in our personal lives, from traditions, gifts, and joyful celebrations to unmet expectations, reflection on loss, relationship drama, and more. Zechariah and Elizabeth had a life that, at least in part, didn’t go as predicted, yet they still focused on God and His plans.

Could this all be an invitation for us to understand that God is weaving our circumstances, and even the insignificant, mundane details of our lives, into His great plan and purposes?

He is faithful. We are also called and equipped to be faithful – because HE is.

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Reflection Prompters

1. Consider some of your own circumstances that may be amplified in the Christmas season.  What words from your relationship with God may balance or even replace these?

From absences  to 

From pain to 

From lack to 

From change to 

From detachment to  

2. Consider Ephesians 3:10.  What is God accomplishing in other dimensions?

3.  What could change for you this holiday season as you consider GOD’s great plan and purposes in relation to your own plans and purposes?

4. Think about this quotation. Unpack it with the Lord and listen for what the Spirit tells you. 

“As the unseen world watches us, they see God’s grace sustain us, his power deliver us, and his comfort encourage us. They see us bless God in sickness and in health, and they witness God’s manifold wisdom as he uses everything in our lives for good. With all these watchers, our faithfulness has a cosmic impact. We shake the universe by choosing to bless God in the midst of trial, showing that God really is our treasure, even now, and that he’s worthy of worship.” -Vaneetha Risner

5.  What thoughts could you write out, pray over, and meditate on this week?  Here are a couple of suggestions – but what is the Spirit telling YOU?

-God uses everything in my life to move forward His plans and purposes.

-God is intimately involved in the details of my situation.