Scripture Reading: Luke 1:5-20
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 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 before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel said to him, “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. 20 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 appointed time.”
Often, during Advent, we tend to overlook the early verses of the Gospel of Luke that detail Zechariah’s encounter with Gabriel, an angel of the Lord. While it’s important to focus on Mary, Joseph, and Jesus during this season, we can find valuable insights in Zechariah’s story about our place in the narrative of Christ’s birth.
Even though we weren’t born before Jesus, we are living in a time that prepares us for His second coming. Just as John’s birth was a precious gift to Zechariah and Elizabeth, we too are reborn through our faith in Christ. When we consider ourselves as believers, we are spiritually reborn by the blood of Christ, making us part of a holy priesthood. This calling isn’t limited to pastors and church leaders; it’s extended to everyone who embraces faith in Jesus.
We are not merely spectators of Christ’s birth; our rebirth calls us to actively prepare the way for the Lord’s return—just as John did. Each of us, regardless of our roles in the church, is called to serve within Christ’s priesthood. We play an essential role in guiding God’s people in anticipation of Christ’s return.
1 Peter 2:9 reminds us: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
The Advent season serves as a reminder that we are not just onlookers at the birth of Christ; we are part of the priesthood, actively participating in reflecting God’s glory here on earth as it is in heaven.
Live out this calling by sharing the gospel, proclaiming good news in both your words and actions, and remember your purpose as we await the day we join Him, or when He returns – whichever in His grace comes first.
T H E O P H I L U S 
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