Christmas ViewpointSample

Zechariah - A Time of Silence

'"Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John…. 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. 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…

When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John." They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name." Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John." Immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. All the neighbours were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him.'

We revisit the story of Zechariah. The outcome of Zechariah's scepticism is that he is struck mute until the birth of his child. Being struck voiceless seems harsh, doesn't it…or does it?

We live in an era of constant words- constant information, reporting, analysis, and words. Words are so much of our lives that we struggle with silence. In silence, we can hear more perceptively and, in that silence, hear that 'still, small voice' (1 Kings 19:12) of the Lord.

Viewpoint Reflection

Imagine what it must have been like for Zechariah not being able to speak for nine months. How would you try to convey your thoughts and feelings if you were him? In Zechariah's silence, he could likely hear more clearly from the Lord. Sit in silence in the presence of the Lord and allow yourself to hear from God and allow yourself – without words – to respond to His leading.