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Monday (Day 9)

VERSES: Luke 1:5-25

All people have a birth story. We all have parents. We were all born at a particular time and into a particular context. The details of birth stories are something that get recorded in baby books and told over Thanksgiving dinners so that individual families continue to remember the tribe that they are a part of.

Certain births, however, are even more significant. Not only is their story shared at their Thanksgiving table, but it is widely known among all within a society. The birth and childhood of George Washington is taught in elementary schools, and the early life of Martin Luther King Jr. is a part of all his biographies.

Given this dynamic, when we see a detailed account of the birth of a child in the Bible, we should ask ourselves, “Who is this, and why is their birth so significant?” In today’s reading, we read about the conception of John the Baptist. This conception was natural (he had a mom and a dad after all), but it was also supernatural (John’s folks, Zechariah and Elizabeth) were old at the time John was conceived. To top it off, the angel Gabriel foretold John’s birth while Zechariah was at work in the Temple. This is one birth story we all need to know!

The significance of this birth, of course, was the role that John was born to play. Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son would be the one who would go forth “in the spirit and power of Elijah” to pave the way for the Messiah’s entrance into history. As we saw yesterday, this was to make good on the promise of God to have a forerunner to the entrance of the King of Kings.

John’s role was unique, but his mission is also our mission. John was to call hearts back to God and prepare them for Christ. In a similar way, we are to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all we come into contact with and invite men and women to believe in Jesus as their Savior and Lord. You have a “re-birth” story … born again in Jesus for an important role and to invite others to follow Him as well. Who can you invite to follow Christ this Christmas season?