As you know Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist. You also might remember that he was struck mute by God because he did not believe what the Angel of the Lord told him. For entirety of his wife Elizabeth's pregnancy, Zechariah is only able to communicate through written words and/or some form of sign-language or eye movement.
He cannot speak.
Imagine that. . . because you do not believe what God is doing in your life, you are unable to speak about it to anyone. You are forced to watch the proceedings from the margins. This silence creates a sense of space, or distance, for Zechariah I believe.
If he chooses to process or consider what is happening in Elizabeth's life, or in the greater spiritual life of the world, he will do so differently from the rest of the community.
Now we know that as soon as he announces that this child is to be named John, his voice returns and he is able to testify to God being at work in his life. His testimony is so powerful that it causes awe to be experienced by the members of his community. But as I think about Zechariah's prophecy, as it is recorded in Luke 1, I wonder how often do we share the priests predicament?
How often do we stop believing in what God is doing around us, and by ceasing to believe, we are moved to the margins. We can only watch what is happening when the opportunity to partner with God is also present. We are invited to partner with the Lord!
I suppose this Christmas the choice is yours also. . . I wonder if you will believe what God is doing around you? Will you speak about it and trust that what God has planned will change the community? Or will you live on the margin and let Christmas take a familiar pacing and path?
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