[NYer]

John's strange, improbable conception—of a mother past her menopause and an elderly priest—was a nine-days' wonder in and about the Temple. Satan could not have failed to know of it.

In the Maronite Catholic Church, the Season of Advent begins with the Announcement to Zechariah (the father of John the Baptist). The next 2 Sundays cover the Announcement to the Virgin Mary and the Visitation of the Virgin to Elizabeth. Last Sunday, we celebrated the Birth of John the Baptizer.

The above statement rings true when we hear the Gospel of Luke for that Sunday.

 Luke 1:57-66
 The Birth of John the Baptist
The Evangelist said:
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. This is the truth. Peace be with you.

As happens each year, I ponder how the neighbors reacted to such an event. Such a miracle! What a powerful testimony!

[NYer]

To complement the above Gospel, let's step back to the beginning of Advent and the Announcement to Zechariah and the amazing story presented by the Evangelist Luke.

 Luke 1:1-25
 Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
The Evangelist said:
Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed. In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.” Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.” This is the truth. Peace be with you.

Read within the context of Advent, the narrative begins with this Announcement and flows through to the Birth of Christ.

Announcement to Zechariah
Announcement to the Virgin Mary
Visitation of the Virgin to Elizabeth
Birth of John the Baptist
Revelation to Joseph
Genealogy Sunday
Birth of the Lord Jesus

Genealogy Sunday provides an account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David.

[LetMarch]

I recall Psalm 116:6: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.”

Then Paul’s writings to churches at Rome: “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:...”(Rom. 1:7a)

Then to the church at Corinth: and Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, and we know the Lord Jesus shall come to be glorified in His saints,....(1 Thess. 1:9-10)

[LetMarch]

I recall Psalm 116:6: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.”

Then Paul’s writings to churches at Rome: “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:...”(Rom. 1:7a)

Then to the church at Corinth: and Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, and we know the Lord Jesus shall come to be glorified in His saints,....(1 Thess. 1:9-10)

[johngrace]

Great post for Advent. Thanks.