Read: Luke 1: 5 – 80
Zechariah was a priest, known for his righteousness and obedience to God. He and his wife were recognized in their town for worshipping and serving God, but they never expected to hear the message Zechariah received from Gabriel, the angel. Elizabeth, was barren and had most likely given up the hope that she and her husband would ever start a family of their own. Soon, their lives would change, and they would have a son of their own.
Elizabeth’s relative, Mary, was a young woman, engaged to Joseph. I’m sure she was nervous about leaving her family, and having a baby was not exactly the next step in her plan. When Gabriel arrived with a change of plans, Mary was shocked. After hearing the news, she traveled and stayed with Elizabeth and Zechariah for three months. The three were able to connect in a deeper way, knowing God was working within their family to redeem His people. Even baby John, filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb, leapt in worship of the nearness of Jesus.
God came down into an ordinary family with mundane jobs and roles. Simple, daily plans of marriage or service to God. He came down into a place of comfort and no expectation. He used a family, who were quietly serving and worshipping in their daily lives. He used this ordinary family to redeem all people. “To give light to those who sit in darkness…” (v. 79)
Prayer: May we look for the ways He wants to use our families this year. How might we offer up our ordinary lives in service and worship to Him? How might our very beings proclaim — “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant… he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (vs. 46- 49)
Listen To: What Child Is This – Lauren Daigle
Smile in a Cup 