Luke 1:5-10
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
Reflection
This is our introduction to the Christmas story from the
historian Luke’s perspective. The gospel of Luke is the only place we see the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah. Their
story perfectly sets the stage for what the love of God will do through Jesus Christ. This is because God’s love in Jesus Christ brings life to barren places. Elizabeth and Zechariah come face to face with desperate hopelessness that was
Beyond their ability or power to change or control. What places in our lives do you think parallel this hopelessness? What hope can we hold onto that God can bring life in
barren places?
