Zechariah has been mute for roughly nine months – since his surprise visit from the angel Gabriel in the temple. He doubted the angel’s promise of a son, and yet there he was, a new father of a promised child in his old age. And the moment he wrote the boy’s name on the tablet, his tongue was loosed and “he spoke, blessing God”, prophesying about the Messiah that was to come and about his infant son’s life work that lay ahead.
Verses 76-79 of chapter 1 are Zechariah’s prophecy spoken specifically to his son, John the Baptist – what he will do with the days he is given. Sisters, read the content of this promise. How appropriate, John’s calling during this Advent season! It is our calling as well. John the Baptist was born to prepare the world for the coming Messiah.
Are our lives in this Advent season preparing the world for the coming Messiah? Are they preparing ourselves for Him?
The day we celebrate our Savior’s birth is mere days away. And yet, the closer we get to Christmas, the busier our days become. I urge you sisters: listen. be quiet. truly.
Set aside everything and make time for quiet introspection and repentance. The best way to prepare for the Advent (or arrival) of the Lord is to make straight His pathway in our own hearts. Make ready to receive your King!
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the World, Isaac Watts
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Great question Michelle, what will I do with my days?? I pray that I may walk in His way.
The first thing that caught my attention when reading this is "what he will do with the days he is given". It made me think, (and I wrote it down in my journal) "what will I do with the days I am given.
I have been blessed by God so much. My family gave me money. I needed nothing, so I took that money and this is what I did.. I gave a new smile to a child who needed it most, through, Smile Train, medicine to a tribe in Africa through World Vision and toys to a child who won’t have received anything this Christmas. I am truly blessed by all that. God is good and I am overwhelmed with his joy.
Truthfully, this Christmas is turning out to be a little different for us. We have both been reading the Word so much more, finding things always fresh and new. Our grandchildren have so much and truthfully I haven't the energy or money to stress about getting them just the right thing. This year we gave them a goat, a sheep, and a stock of fish for a pond! Well, not them exactly, but in their name to families either in Africa, c. America , or S. America. How I pray those gifts will be a blessing to the children, ours and theirs. We used Samaritans Purse, but others do it as well. May you all have a blessed Christmas…Ty for your thoughts here.
Dear sisters,
This has been a real blessing and centring us back on Christ. May we give the best gift of all, the gospel of Christ
Paula I totally agree. I love how He deals with us as well. I am also so grateful for everyone’s post…please keep them coming. To God be the glory!
These advent readings have been like gifts given in anticipation of the Saviour’s birth.
Charlie, I just love your words and your prayers during this entire advent season! Thank you for being a blessing to me!
May God continue to bless us and our families that are represented by these posts! Continue to keep our minds stayed on Him who is our rock and redeemer. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!
I love being able to come here and read other’s post. It helps me reflect and know that I am in company. I thank God for these opportunities . I feel so blessed by you women :-). Blessings!
Shana, I had the same thing shown to me today in a dream and reality.
;The dream was a table full of food and I had one thing in my hand, upset because I could not find the Tabasco sauce. The. Food began to rot right before my eyes as I was looking for something else. After I woke up, the workmen came. Tile is being installed by my landlord today and I am unable to walk on it for 6 hours. That made me come back from the thought I was having of trying to go out and get those last few gifts. God said. ” Not today, not. Right now” than. I came and. laid down and read your wonderful posts. I love how He deals with us,, just as diversified as we are Love that about you Lord! .
Tests. Don’t you love them.
I was hit with a hard reflection of what this season means to me when last weekend I was shopping for gifts for my family and I just found my self completely drained. The Lord spoke to me and in that moment I realized that the overwhelming feeling that dwelled within me was not of Christ. Yes it’s true I love to buy my family gifts as an example of how much I adore them but my love for them can not be justified in a present. So the fact that i was getting stressed out trying to get all the perfect things was ridiculous. That evening when I returned home I told the Lord I was done with the shopping part of this holiday. My time and energy would now be given to something so much more important and that’s the worshipping of my Lord. Praising Him for coming to us. Singing songs of worship to him. All while being so thankful for my blessings. I would now be able to spend quality time with my family instead of dealing with the hustle and bustle of shopping. It was such a relief to refocus my focus and bring my attention back to where it truly belonged. He is the reason for the season, so I no longer choose to get caught up in gift giving because the presence of The Lord is our ultimate gift. No present will ever be as great or as Perfect as Gods love. I thank God so much that he came down from heaven for a person like me. I am not worthy but he loves me anyway.
I was reminded of the song "Clear the Stage" while reading this morning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6smGew7dGto
Clear the stage and set the sounds and lights ablaze
if that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols
Jerk the pews and all the decorations too,
until the congregations few and have revival
Tell your friends that this is where the party ends,
until your broken for your sins you can’t be social
Seek the Lord and wait for what he has in store,
and know that great is your reward so just be hopeful,
Cause you can sing all you want to
Yes you can, sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to and still get it wrong
Oh worship is more than a song
Take a break from all the plans that you have made,
and sit home alone and wait for God to whisper
Beg him please to open his mouth and speak
and pray for real upon your knees until they blister
Shine the light on every corner of your life
until the pride, and lust, and lies are in the open
Then read the word and put to test the things you’ve heard
until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken
Cause you can sing all you want to
Oh you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to, and still get it wrong
Oh worship is more than a song
We must not worship something that’s not even worth it
Clear the stage, make some space, for the one who deserves it
Anything I put before my God is an idol
Anything I want with all my heart is an idol
Anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol
And anything that I give all my love is an idol
Cause I can sing all I want to, yes I can
Sing all I want to
Oh we can sing all we want to
And we can Sing all we want to
We can sing all we want to and still get it wrong,
Worship is more than a song
Clear the stage and set the sounds and lights ablaze
if that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols
O Melanie ! Never heard this song, but the words really bring home the truth. Thanks so very much for sharing. Yes, please pray for us all as we really, REALLY, "clear the stage and set the sounds and lights ablaze ". We must crush our so many idols. This has been a spirit-filled Advent for me. Love you, SRT,,,,sisters in Christ.
He’s coming, he is coming! The saviour, my delivereth. I so look forward to his birthday. SWT has really helped me this year to concentrate on what’s really important. I was reading an article the other day and it reminded me that after a meeting with Jesus one should come away never the same.
I see why after the day of christmas passes so many people r depressed . They get invoolved in the hustle, the bustle. Traditions… the day! But all of that passes away. But The Christ lives forever, every day is and should be his day. We ought to throw him a party just because. Ladies let us slow down and enjoy the Christ in Christmas.
Blessings to u all!
I love this ! And I agree … I remember as a child Christmas meant so much; it felt different , it more than just merely gifts and shopping. Today, I don’t feel the same during these holiday seasons , everything seems to be about gifts and that’s it! Have we forgotten what Christmas means? It is true we are so busy running around, shopping, finishing finals in school, finishing up last minute work at the job… But have we made time to just sit and reflect. Spend time with Our Saviour. Thanking Him and Acknowledging His day?! Although, I spend time praying and speaking to God I believe more time during this Advent season can be spent meditating on the word. Spending time in the word and truly preparing ourselves. Lets not be too busy… Lets find the time because we do have it :-). So no worrying, no stressing, no running around crazy . . . Lets clear the path and be ready for Advent !