Luke 1:21-25
“Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ‘The Lord has done this for me,’ she said. ‘In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.’”
Let’s try to imagine what it must have been like to be Elizabeth. It’s another regular day for her. She’s preparing a meal for her husband. Through the open windows she hears the laughter of children. She pushes down the urge to allow herself to dream of what it would have been like to have a child. “Keep busy,” she tells herself.
The meal is finished and she waits for her loving husband of many years, Zechariah. She groans as she sits down, her age is beginning to take its toll on her hips. “Getting old is not easy,” she sighs.
Zechariah enters the house clapping his hands. He is smiling. She hasn’t seen that look in his eyes since they were young and in love. He grabs her hands and pulls her up. “What are you doing?” she giggles.
He spins her around and around. “Zechariah, why are you so happy?”
He kisses her. Motioning for her to sit down, he begins to reenact the scene at the temple. She watches with eager anticipation. When he is finished, she shakes her head at him. “Parents. We are going to be parents. After all these years, all those prayers, oh, Zechariah! Give praise to God.”
God showed favor to Zechariah and Elizabeth. He will show favor to you.
