22.) December 20, 2020 Zechariah Luke 1: 8, 11-13, 18-20
Once when he was serving as priest, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid,* Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel,who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.But now you will be speechless and unable to talk* until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
(Angles always say at first “Do not be afraid”)
He was terrible—so fierce and imposing. I was so frightened I almost dropped the burning coals for the incense onto the floor. I was quaking. In my fear I was sure I had misunderstood. There was no way this could happen—Elizabeth and I become parents at our age! And even if so, why us? Why have us raise a child to be set apart for this special task was unclear in my mind. I should have had stronger faith. In great rage at my disbelief, Gabriel struck me dumb. Now how do I explain, without words, to Elizabeth? Thought: Would I believe?