Ordinary, Called to Be Extraordinary
The Sound of Silence
The Sound of Silence
Read Luke 1:5-25, 57-66
This Advent season we reflect on the stories of Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph - all uniquely ordinary people being called to do extraordinary tasks. Consider exploring each story to uncover the biblical pattern in the person’s response to God’s calling, or challenge.
During the time of King Herod of Judea, Zechariah was a priest serving as part of the priestly division of Abijah. Zechariah was a temple priest from the village. It was Zechariah’s turn to go into the temple of the Lord to burn incense while worshippers were outside praying. Note, Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were unable to have children, not a socially acceptable situation to be in at this time. This scene sets the stage for Zechariah’s calling.
This week, look at the story of Zechariah through of the pattern of God’s calling stories, but prepare for a twist. First, the person has some experience with God. In Zechariah’s case, he had a dramatic encounter with Gabriel, an angel of the Lord while in the Temple. Second, God gives the person a mission. The angel of the Lord tells Zechariah that he will father a son who will bring the people Israel back to the Lord, their God. This is an astonishing revelation for Zechariah. Zechariah wonders how this could happen as he is childless thus far, he is old and so is his wife Elizabeth. Third, when called by God, people often doubt their abilities, or deny being worthy. Lastly, the pattern shows God reassuring the person and/or erasing their doubt.
Here is the twist in the pattern. Most often, God doesn’t take us from doubt to reassurance in one distinct moment. Zechariah is told by the angel to not be afraid, his prayer will be heard. Zechariah fears, and he doubts. God renders Zechariah mute since he did not believe the words of God. Think about Zechariah, one moment being able to communicate and the next unable to proclaim the miraculous news he just received.
During this second week of Advent, imagine yourself in Zechariah’s silent shoes, preparing for and awaiting the God-given special birth of John. Not a far imagining. It is what we are doing during Advent, awaiting the birth of Jesus, The Light of the World. As you further examine the story of Zechariah, explore when and through what action Zechariah regains his voice. Explore with intention, sounds of silence this Advent and how you might regain your voice to proclaim God when celebrating the birth of Jesus. Have you experienced the pattern when answering a call from God?
Click on the header above titled "Week of December 9-15" for age-appropriate activities you can do individually, as a family or with a group to explore further "Sound of Silence."
This Advent season we reflect on the stories of Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph - all uniquely ordinary people being called to do extraordinary tasks. Consider exploring each story to uncover the biblical pattern in the person’s response to God’s calling, or challenge.
During the time of King Herod of Judea, Zechariah was a priest serving as part of the priestly division of Abijah. Zechariah was a temple priest from the village. It was Zechariah’s turn to go into the temple of the Lord to burn incense while worshippers were outside praying. Note, Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were unable to have children, not a socially acceptable situation to be in at this time. This scene sets the stage for Zechariah’s calling.
This week, look at the story of Zechariah through of the pattern of God’s calling stories, but prepare for a twist. First, the person has some experience with God. In Zechariah’s case, he had a dramatic encounter with Gabriel, an angel of the Lord while in the Temple. Second, God gives the person a mission. The angel of the Lord tells Zechariah that he will father a son who will bring the people Israel back to the Lord, their God. This is an astonishing revelation for Zechariah. Zechariah wonders how this could happen as he is childless thus far, he is old and so is his wife Elizabeth. Third, when called by God, people often doubt their abilities, or deny being worthy. Lastly, the pattern shows God reassuring the person and/or erasing their doubt.
Here is the twist in the pattern. Most often, God doesn’t take us from doubt to reassurance in one distinct moment. Zechariah is told by the angel to not be afraid, his prayer will be heard. Zechariah fears, and he doubts. God renders Zechariah mute since he did not believe the words of God. Think about Zechariah, one moment being able to communicate and the next unable to proclaim the miraculous news he just received.
During this second week of Advent, imagine yourself in Zechariah’s silent shoes, preparing for and awaiting the God-given special birth of John. Not a far imagining. It is what we are doing during Advent, awaiting the birth of Jesus, The Light of the World. As you further examine the story of Zechariah, explore when and through what action Zechariah regains his voice. Explore with intention, sounds of silence this Advent and how you might regain your voice to proclaim God when celebrating the birth of Jesus. Have you experienced the pattern when answering a call from God?
Click on the header above titled "Week of December 9-15" for age-appropriate activities you can do individually, as a family or with a group to explore further "Sound of Silence."