Happy Advent! Every year for the past 40 years, I’ve created a series of 24 devotionals on a theme to prepare our hearts for Christmas. The theme for 2025 will take us on a trip through the 24 chapters of Luke’s gospel. You are welcome to read through the gospel with me, one chapter per day. We will be looking at the ripple effect of that 1st Christmas throughout the gospel.
As a writer, I am surprised that Luke begins his story of Jesus by telling us about the birth of John the Baptist. Who starts a biography by describing the birth of the cousin of the main character? But just as we have Advent to prepare our hearts for Christmas, Luke is telling us about Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, who will prepare the way for Jesus.
As you read this opening chapter today, remember that God had sent no prophets for 400 years before Jesus was born. No angels delivering messages from God. Four centuries of silence. And suddenly, in this chapter an angel shows up to tell both Zecharias and Mary that the long-ago prophecies of Isaiah, Malachi and others are about to be fulfilled: “A virgin will conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Immanuel.” (Is. 7:14)
I can relate to Zecharias: He reacts with fear and unbelief. He is very human. But I want to react like Mary: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” How about you?
