18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Talk It Over


1. Review the message and first read Luke 1:1-25. What stood out to you the most about the chapter and the message? What was God saying to you? What confirmed your walk with God? What challenged your walk with God

2. We all know how Christmas is celebrated in our society, but how familiar are you with the tradition of Advent? What role has it played in your past Christmas seasons?

3. Advent is about waiting in expectation and remembering that God comes through on his promises. What are you waiting on right now? What does it means for you to wait in expectation that God will come through on His promises?

4. The Lord promised that He would send a Messiah and then His people waited in silence for 400 years for Jesus to arrive. Why do you think God made His people wait? How do you typically respond when you don't hear from God as quickly as you want?

5. Is there something significance that you continue to wait on God to provide? What evidence have you glimpsed, if any, that God is working while you wait?

6. How does the birth of Jesus give you hope that God is actively working for your good and on your behalf, even though you may not be able to fully see it?