Mary’s mind was all awhirl as she made her way home from this totally bizarre encounter.  She believed it was real, but it was too strange for comfort.  She wanted to be alone.  No!  That’d be the worst thing.  She’d talk herself out of it, she reasoned.  What she really needed was to be in a place that would bolster her faith, and not allow her to dwell in her confusion to feed her insecurities and create all kinds of doubt.  

“Visit Elizabeth!  That’s what I’ll do,” thought Mary. 

“She’s in her sixth month; she’ll be showing;

and she’ll need help around the house.  That’s exactly what I’ll do!” 

She saw her mother up by the house, came near to her, and asked, “Mother?  May I please go visit Elizabeth?” 

“Whatever for?” her mother replied. 

“Well, it’s been a long time since I got to visit her and she’s a family favorite.  And, well, I just had the strangest thought that she’s expecting a baby.” 

Mary’s mother burst out laughing. 

“Do you realize how old she is?  I’m sorry, but women that age just don’t have kids.” 

Mary’s heart sank at the obvious indication she couldn’t even tell her mother about any of this. 

She bolstered her own faith instead and suggested

Well, why not?  After all, Abraham and Sarah did.” 

Her mother tried to squelch the heartiness of her own laugh and said “That’s why they called him Isaac.  What laughter to an old couple!  Come now, Mary, that’s nothing but some old Torah stories.  It doesn’t happen to regular people like Elizabeth and Zechariah.  But sure, go ahead and visit Elizabeth,” and added sarcastically, “Be sure to send along word when her due date is.”  Mary’s mother wiped away tears of laughter from her eyes and tried to regain her composure from a good belly laugh. 

* * *

Her Story, Your Story: 

1. Throughout history, people of faith have been ridiculed and disbelieved.  What ought to have been the most amazing and blessed news for the Chosen People who had been waiting generation after generation for their Messiah became something Mary realized could not be shared right now with her own family and would not be greeted with cheers by the very people who had been waiting for the coming of Messiah.  She’d be ostracized and disbelieved because of the way God chose to do it.  What should have been the reaction of God’s people to the imminent coming of the Messiah?
2. How do you think she must have felt keeping this amazing news to herself?
3. Do you find that there are things you cannot tell even your parents, your children, or your closest friends?  What types of things are you more likely to keep secret? 
4. What distinguishes a burden from a secret or a surprise? 

Self-Reflection topic:  Secrecy

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Your story is one we should never want to keep to ourselves since it is good news for the entire world!  Help us to have confidence to share it and to stand strong against a tide of unbelief and ridicule.  Grant that we would have wisdom when to speak and when to remain silent for the sake of wisdom.  Give us courage to speak when called because Your Word reminds us that when your disciples praised You, Luke 19:38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”  Let us not be deficient in our praise but rather, give You all glory and honor!  Amen.

Mary listened attentively and at long last, Mary pieced together what the angel Gabriel was saying to her. 

She blushed deeply and asked the obvious:  “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”  The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:34-35)

She didn’t understand.  Who actually could?  But she believed, committing in her heart to trust and obey.  She wouldn’t ask Gabriel for proof but she did admit a truth inwardly: she felt the need for a greater faith to believe what seemed totally impossible and completely improbable would yet come to pass. 

Adonai, please give me faith to continue believing, and encouragement to keep me from doubt, her heart prayed silently.

Gabriel’s presence changed in an instant from the brilliant holy messenger commanding fear and awe with a holiness so bright it blinded her even to look at him.  It’s as if he’d heard something she hadn’t.  His eyes, once piercing with holiness that inspired fear, suddenly softened into beauty, began visibly glistening, and a lovely, gentle, more cherubic smile spread over his face as reassuringly he added, Luke 1: 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” [Her heart’s prayer was satisfied, and Mary was emboldened by knowing that Adonai was, in fact, with her in spirit, sending His message through Gabriel.]  38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Her Story, Your Story: 

1. We don’t know for sure that Mary prayed such a prayer (artistic license on my part, really), but we do know something happened between the question of how it would occur and her willingness to be the Lord’s servant.  That “something” was surely not doubt.  The proof offered from Gabriel suggests God knew she needed reassurance and for her faith to increase.  What is your reaction to God’s silence when you see events stacking up against Him with impossible odds from an earthly viewpoint … or His asking the impossible from you? 
2. Is your response to doubt, to deny, or to ask, “Increase my faith?”  (Luke 17:5)

Self-Reflection topic: Faith enough

Prayer:  Father, please increase our faith for the days ahead, days of stress and uncertainty.  Increase our faith to stand for You when ridiculed and when it’s difficult. Increase our faith to share You and Your Gospel with a world that is hostile to You and Your message of salvation.  Increase our faith to love our enemies.  Increase our faith to forgive not just seven times nor counting seventy-seven times, but understanding Jesus’ meaning of continual and complete forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-22) because we have been forgiven of the greatest of sins because our sin is always against You.  Forgive us, Lord, for those times we don’t want to forgive others or to love and obey You. Help us to speak words of obedience in response to all You have done for us.  Through Christ we pray, Amen.

===

By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these Storyteller devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2018 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><

===

Acknowledging inquiries about the entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• Last year’s Advent Devotional Series (2017), Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

“Greetings, you who are highly favored!

The Lord is with you.”   

Mary was still looking at Gabriel when her heart became greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God”.

What is he saying to me?

What does this mean?

She wondered silently. 

She was too confused to do anything but listen to the angel’s words as he explained in a powerful but surprisingly gentle voice that sounded like the whispered ripple of calm waters on a shoreline,

You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end”  (Luke 1:31-33).

She was confused—she’d admit it.  Her mind—it was a spinning wheel of many thoughts:  The Messiah, the promise to David, deliverance, restoration, and consolation.  They cascaded in rapid succession!  She’d known about these things because her father taught her entire family about the Law; he told her the stories in the Writings; and he shared the expectations and hopes contained in the Prophets.  But she couldn’t begin to imagine how she could be part of that story. 

She was scared and confused. 

She didn’t understand this angelic greeting and news at all.

***

Her Story, Your Story: 

1. Mary’s life had been regularly steeped in Scripture.  This will be apparent in her Magnificat.  For now, though, what value would there have been in her having been taught God’s Word? 
2. How is being taught Scripture different than, say, being taught history or math? 
3. How is being taught Scripture no guarantee everything will make sense? 
4. In your life, who taught you Scripture?  Where have you heard God’s Word taught?

Self-Reflection topic: Bible instruction

Prayer:  Thank You, Lord that Your Word is “living and active living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).  We thank You that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  We ask, Lord Jesus, that by the power of Your Holy Spirit, You would plant Your Word deeply in us and that we would be prepared for Your return.  Amen.

===

By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these Storyteller devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2018 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><

===

Acknowledging inquiries about the entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• Last year’s Advent Devotional Series (2017), Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

Meanwhile the work of Gabriel was not finished.  After telling Zechariah of his good news about a son named John, to which all the angels naturally marveled and desired to know more deeply, six months went by and Gabriel was sent again.  

There was a joyous stirring in the host of angels.  Would this news be just as amazing as the first?  

Gabriel went to a nothing little town of no special repute in the middle of nowhere called Nazareth which was north of Jerusalem in Galilee.  There he found Mary, a young woman, a girl really, but old enough to be pledged in marriage.

She was helping her mother with household chores and enjoying the spring sunshine as it warmed her skin. 

She breathed deeply.  The wind gently swept pieces of her soft brown hair out of its braiding and across her face.  She didn’t mind.  The sun was warm, and she loved spring with its fresh breezes across the pastures and fields.  The scent of wildflowers with grassy overtones hinted at the fleeting time of their existence. 

She smiled at the blue sky and wispy white clouds as she placed the washing out to dry.  She thought to herself about her days at home and how much she loved them. 

But these days as an unmarried daughter were soon coming to a close. 

She was betrothed and would be married to Joseph, a good man, a righteous man, in the Davidic line no less—exactly the kind of man every girl in Nazareth dreamed of marrying. 

She was blessed in so many ways.

She wandered a bit down the dusty path taking in the sights and the smells, pausing to create a memory of a moment when Gabriel entered in a flash of brilliance.  It startled her into motionlessness.  Her heart was fluttering.  Her eyes grew wide in fear.  Gabriel said,

Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

***

Her Story, Your Story: 

1. An average life and average blessings are something we all experience.  In what ways was Mary’s life completely average and not outstanding in any way? 
2. In what ways did Mary display an exceptional life at this point in the story? 
3. Is it hard to see blessings around you in an average day? 
4. What was so amazing about Mary that God would choose her and send Gabriel?  What made her highly favored?

Self-Reflection topic:  Average blessings

Prayer:  Father God, You amaze us with Your grace!  Grace–that unmerited favor You show to us in so many ways, every day.  We do not deserve Your love or Your mercy and yet, Your plan of redemption was designed as an ultimate display of Your love for us while we did nothing to earn it and did so much to rebel against You.  Forgive us, Lord.  And thank You for not giving up on us.  Thank You for our sister Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus, and for her average life made exceptional only by Your grace.  Keep our faith grounded in Christ alone.  Remind us that no human is worthy of worship, not Mary, not the Apostle Paul, no one but Jesus Christ our Lord.  Admonish us as You did with the Apostle John when he was confronted with an angel so magnificent and beautiful “Revelation 19:10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”  Remind us that You alone are God and even Your angels are servants who long to know the mysteries that You have in store for us in the Gospel (1 Peter 1:12).  Amen.

===

By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these Storyteller devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2018 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><

===

Acknowledging inquiries about the entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• Last year’s Advent Devotional Series (2017), Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

Finally, Zechariah gathered his composure.  His knees which failed him…his strength which was rendered weak and useless–those in time were restored.  His voice, however, was not.  Luke 1:21 “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.“  

How could he ever finish his work week with this in his heart?  A surprise for Elizabeth after praying for so long!  Answered!  Finally answered! 

After being resigned to childlessness as her legacy, now a miracle!  His mind returned time and again to what he might say, or rather how to let her know?  Nevertheless, he fulfilled his time of service and returned home as quickly as his worn sandals could take him.   

Understandably, his wife Elizabeth was stunned by the news, by Zechariah’s silence, and by the hope he shared with her. 

Neither of them said a word to others about it. 

Zechariah because he couldn’t. 

Elizabeth, because this private joy was something too amazing and far too personal to put into words. 

She believed Zechariah without a doubt.  But here was the concern: Why subject herself to doubters and those who would think she’d lost her mind?  Confidence in the face of nay-sayers is always hard.  “The more nay, the more sway,” she thought.  So, she spent five months in seclusion with Zechariah to whom she could alone share the immensity of her joy.  

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.”  (Luke 1:25)

***

Her Story, Your Story: 

1. Elizabeth did not have the benefit of an angelic appearance.  She must rely upon what happened to her husband.  In what ways does this affirm the “one-flesh” of marriage? 
2. Thinking about both types of testimony (eye-witness and ear-witness), how did this take a powerful turn in the life of Elizabeth and Zechariah?  In other words, is eye-witness the only way to acknowledge the truth? 
3. None of us will see Jesus face-to-face until the very end.  What types of things are important regarding the authenticity and truthfulness of testimony?  What does evangelism require?

Self-Reflection topic: Testimony

Prayer:  Father, we admit we do not understand Your plan and Your will.  We do not understand why You would entrust such an important message of salvation to us to communicate to others as evangelism.  We gratefully respond to the teachings of Christ when He said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).   Our hope is in what we have been told, not what our eyes have seen at the present moment, except by faith.  We look forward to the day described by the Apostle Paul, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).  Until that glorious day of Your return and seeing You for the first time in the flesh as our Resurrected Lord, grant that our faith would be strong, our witness would be effective, and our hope in the testimony handed down through the saints would be unshaken in a world of chaos.  Amen.

===

By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these Storyteller devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2018 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><

===

Acknowledging inquiries about the entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• Last year’s Advent Devotional Series (2017), Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

Zechariah remained frozen in stunned silence, trying to blink away the brilliant glow’s memory still in his eyes.  Must have been real. 

His mind did not imagine it. 

His eyes did not manufacture it. 

Were those tears forming and streaming down his cheeks? 

Yes.  Why? 

Fear?  Joy?  Shock? 

Ashamed of his doubts being known? 

He swallowed hard, ashamed at thinking his doubts could be hidden from such a Presence as the Almighty’s.  He shook his head free from incredulity at the unmistakable favor communicated by Gabriel.  He was ashamed he didn’t believe the angel’s words. 

A son!  A son!  Not just a child but a son!  An heir!  One who would go on before the Lord, as in a priestly tradition to turn the hearts of a people the Almighty had prepared for Himself! 

Zechariah wept for joy and wept again, in frazzled shock.  And as if this moment of being chosen by lot wasn’t enough to be a blessing of a day and a highlight of lifetime, here was the miraculous!  Good news!  Amazing news!  A son for this old man and for my old wife! 

“I cannot wait to tell Elizabeth,” he thought, “She’ll be so surprised and so happy!” As he began to practice quietly what he would say to Elizabeth and wondered what to say so she’d believe him, he discovered his faithless response anew. He couldn’t speak at all, just as the angel had told him.

***

His Story, Your Story: 

1. In Zechariah’s life, doubt was exposed, but it served some very useful purposes.  What types of purposes might his silence have served for himself, personally? 
2. What might it have done for Elizabeth since she didn’t have the angelic appearance? 
3. What kind of proof do you need to believe the miraculous?

Self-Reflection topic: Proof

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank You that You are every bit as comfortable in the spiritual realm as in the earthly; You are as at home and at peace in the miraculous as in the mundane; and Your knowledge of all truth is complete.  Help us to have confidence in Your reliability and trustworthiness and to know in Whom we trust instead of our eyes and our minds that can deceive us.  Help us to bury our doubts beneath the ample evidence Your Word provides of the truth.  Thank You that our hearts are known by You, and our prayers too.  Thank You that You do not give us what we deserve, but in its place, You give us grace.  Thank You, Lord.  Amen.

===

By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these Storyteller devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2018 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><

===

Acknowledging inquiries about the entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• Last year’s Advent Devotional Series (2017), Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

Zechariah was stunned into silence by the angel’s appearance and proclamation about his prayer being heard.  His mind whirred into action.

Prayer?  Prayer?  Which prayer? 

No one had ever told him that this is what happens when you’re ministering before the altar of incense.  He hadn’t a clue what prayer and when he’d prayed the effective one heard by the Almighty.

The angel continued speaking, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous to make ready a people prepared for the Lord”

(Luke 1:13-17)

Zechariah regained his courage at this great news and emboldened, he asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel answered, “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 proper time” (Luke 1:19-20).  

What a foolish thing to have asked!  Why didn’t he keep his mouth shut or just say “Praise Adonai”? 

His words were clearly heard by the angel and revealed totally faithless when stripped of all pretense.  His doubt had burst out and been laid bare. 

Before an angel and the Almighty no less.

***

His Story, Your Story: 

1. Are there any things we can confess to God that He doesn’t already know?
2. Looking back over the angel’s words, what are some important things for which Zechariah could have been grateful?  “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 
3. Before we’re too hard on old Zechariah, is gratitude our default position? 
4. How likely are we to believe the miraculous? 
5. The more miraculous and outlandish something is, the harder it is to believe.  What are some reasons Zechariah might have had for doubt? 
6. How might a life practice–day in, day out–of slowly giving up hope for an heir produce such a response? 
7. Are there any things on which you’ve been hoping so long that you’re slowly extinguishing the light of hope?   

Self-Reflection topic: The nature of hope and doubt

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for Your Word which reminds us that “we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:3-5).  During times when our half-life of hope seems to be more than half-spent, remind us of the value of persevering and willingness to confess our doubts and fears to You.  Because You love us, we can approach You boldly and we have no fear.  You already know all about us and our weakness and You love us anyway.  Keep our hearts grateful always because You deserve our gratitude.  Amen.

===

By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these Storyteller devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2018 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><

===

Acknowledging inquiries about the entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• Last year’s Advent Devotional Series (2017), Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

It was a career highlight to be sure, thought Zechariah, but moreover, it was the closest he would ever get to a burning bush moment.

How enthralling! 

How amazing!  

How monumental as a career milestone! 

He was getting carried away in a flurry of excitement, but then suddenly, a cold feeling of total unworthiness weighed heavily on his shoulders and wrapped about him like a shroud.

He began to understand the significance of such a feeling.  

This atmosphere of seriousness made the air heavy to breathe.  He almost gasped for each breath when the reality hit him.  It was not meant for personal satisfaction.

Suddenly, it lifted light and warm, sweeping across his face like a joyful morning song.  What was going on?  

He was completely and unexpectedly overcome by the spiritual experience, the holiness of it all.  He could admit it: he had holy fear. 

He could hear his pulse in his ears and his hands were oddly sweating with a feeling of nervousness.  A profound sense of awe covered him from every angle. People were praying outside, and he was here inside, close to Adonai, doing what some priests would never get the opportunity to do.  He was taking in every moment—as if making a record of it—for this event’s memory would need to last him the rest of his life.  He’d never get the opportunity again. 

He was deep in thought, unable to lift his eyes to such a holy task, when he felt like there was someone there.  His heart pounded like a man being chased.  “Who was there?  Who are you?”  Not a sound. 

He must be imagining things, he thought, but his heart’s rapid beating told him otherwise.  He looked to the altar of incense to resume his work, but he was self-aware, consumed with his surroundings and that odd feeling of being watched.  He looked again, and at the right-hand side of the altar, there was an angel of the Lord.  His heart nearly stopped at this sight when the angel commanded,

Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.” (Luke 1:13)

***

His Story, Your Story: 

1. Zechariah’s experience was supernatural and totally unique.  That is something none of us will ever experience.  But there are ways in which closeness to God can elicit that same holy fear and result in profoundly spiritual outcomes.  Are there any experiences you have had that could only be called “spiritually powerful”? 
2. When God shows Himself powerful in your life, what feelings do you have? 
3. Most of us go through our days picturing ourselves as basically good on that scale from Hitler (worst of the evil side) to Mother Teresa (superior on the goodness side).  However, if the scale goes from sinful human (Hitler) to divine perfection (Jesus), we’re all on the Hitler side—totally unworthy compared to Christ. How is grace amplified by a true sense of our own unworthiness? (Read Romans 5:20-6:10 for insight.) 

Self-Reflection topic: Holy fear

Prayer:  Father God, we ask that You remind us of Your perfection every day so that we always might view ourselves rightly.  Lord Jesus, give us joy in acts of righteousness and give us a sense of holy fear of judgment for our times of failure, not as retribution, but as restoration of what needs to be a right relationship with You.  Help us Lord, to cherish that relationship.  Holy Spirit, please strengthen our resolve in prayer, in faith, and in perseverance so that we might bring glory to God.  Encourage us to see ourselves as unworthy people gratefully redeemed by grace, not just simply unworthy as condemned by our adversary.  Help us to see ourselves through the lens of love through which You see us.  Amen.

===

By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these Storyteller devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2018 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><

===

Acknowledging inquiries about the entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• Last year’s Advent Devotional Series (2017), Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

People were praying outside as Zechariah entered the vestibule to perform the same rites handed down through generations of priests since Aaron in the Tabernacle days.  The legacy and traditions had been faithfully passed through the years: the burning of incense, twice daily, maintaining the lamps so incense would be a perpetual offering.  A holy custom and perpetual, too.

In Zechariah’s’ mind he recalled the words he knew so well. 

Exodus 30:7 “Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. 8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the LORD for the generations to come. 9 Do not offer on this altar any other incense or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it.” 

Once in the morning with morning prayers, once again at twilight and to maintain the lamps as commanded by Moses.  Moreover, the law was clear, even so far as what to burn as incense.

Exodus 30:34 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices–gum resin, onycha and galbanum–and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. 36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the LORD.” 

He cherished the words of the Law of Moses and treasured up in his heart that what he was doing now was nothing other than a holy custom from ages past, offering holy incense, a most holy moment in the presence of Adonai, and certainly a day to remember forever. 

***

His Story, Your Story: 

1. Why do you think people were praying outside as Zechariah went inside?  
2. How is a perpetual offering symbolic of our relationship to God? 
3. In Revelation 5:8, we read that incense is symbolic of “the prayers of the saints.”  In what way are the prayers of those outside connected to the burning of incense as a perpetual offering? 
4. Are there any changes you can make to your prayer life to make it more perpetual? 
5. What other things can be a perpetual offering of worship?  For insight, read Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God– this is your spiritual act of worship.”

Self-Reflection topic: Perpetual Offering

Prayer:  Father God, You are worthy of our continual worship.  Help us to find ways to worship You even as we go about our daily lives, songs here, prayers there, encouragement of our fellow man wherever we can.  Help us to bring glory to You by our actions, by our words, and by our choices.  Help us to lift one another up in prayer, knowing that You already know the desires of our hearts and the needs of our friends better than we do.  Hear our prayers for our nation, for our towns, for our families, for our churches, and for ourselves.  As Your Word reminds us in Hebrews 10:25 “Let us encourage one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  As we watch and wait for Your return, let our worship be continual and let our custom be to seek holiness and give You praise.  Amen.

===

By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these Storyteller devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2018 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><

===

Acknowledging inquiries about the entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• Last year’s Advent Devotional Series (2017), Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

Zechariah’s heart was pounding, and he caught his breath. He had been chosen by lot to offer incense in the Temple itself! 

This was a once-in-a-lifetime event and indeed a high honor to be selected for this exceptional duty. 

Previously he had known only how it felt not-to-be chosen. 

What had he known?  An inevitable letdown at having the lot fall on someone else, and wishing he could have been the one, but always checking himself because a lot was really just God’s choice revealed.  He knew all too well the feelings of disappointment, but now finally, he knew how it felt to be chosen by God to perform this offering of incense. 

Chosen! 

He tried to conceal his heart’s joy within the vestments of priestly attire and behavior, for he knew all too well what it felt like for the others looking at him … still waiting their turn which may never come.

***

His Story, Your Story: 

1. Zechariah had many years of watching other men be selected.  It had nothing to do with worth or merit.  It was a simple choice by lot.  Yet this was the method used and considered to be how God chose people.  How do you think he felt all those years of showing up—dutifully—only to have others selected instead? 
2. Have you ever been waiting while someone else was selected—maybe for a promotion, a perk, a basketball team, or a leading role.  Maybe always a bridesmaid never a bride? 
3. How does it make you feel?

Self-Reflection topic: Being chosen, or not

Prayer:  Your choices, Lord, are often hard for us to understand.  Why are some rich, some poor, some healthy, and some afflicted?  When we question, Father remind us of what Jesus said about the blind man: “This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3).  May we accept times of being passed over or not being chosen with the same willingness of heart to do Your will as if we had been selected … by always keeping Your will paramount.  Comfort us please, Holy Spirit, during our times of sadness and rejection.  Lift us to be godly so we would not lord over others when we have experienced blessing or favor.  Help us to reach out to those who are sad, being as generous in giving as we are grateful in being grace-recipients.  May we see Your hand in both. Help us to see Your favor in the way You intend it—that Your work would be displayed in all our lives.  Grant us eyes to see and ears to hear.  We love You, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

===

By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these Storyteller devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2018 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><

===

Acknowledging inquiries about the entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• Last year’s Advent Devotional Series (2017), Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.