The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time…. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.””
Luke 1:19-20, 24-25
Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous people, they were blameless before God with respect to the law. And yet, their initial reaction to the word of God was skepticism. It’s not that Zechariah didn’t trust God, he did, and Elizabeth could not mistake the fact that she was with child… but they still struggled with what God was doing. Zechariah responded to Gabriel, THE angel, with bewilderment. Elizabeth responded by staying in seclusion. Yet, God’s plan continued on. The angel of the Lord still went to Mary and Jesus came into the world. Be encouraged, even when we doubt and struggle with what God is doing, His plan continues on, we can still be part of what He’s doing. Let us follow Zechariah and Elizabeth’s example of following through after faltering. “His name is John!” Let us prepare the way for Jesus in our homes this Christmas season.
