Goodbye Doubt, Hello Faith--A Christmas Series

 

Hello, Faith

Elizabeth was not a young woman. She had bade farewell to youth and to dreams of motherhood years ago.

Now, as her age-spotted hands caressed her swollen belly, she chuckled softly. Never doubt what the Almighty will do to bring His plans to fruition.

Zechariah in the Temple

Six months earlier, her husband Zechariah had been chosen by lot to burn incense in the Most Holy Place. A once-in-a-lifetime privilege for the fortunate few in the priestly line of Aaron.

During his week of service, an angel appeared and nearly frightened the old man into the next life. The heavenly being told him, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.”

Elizabeth giggled at the memory of her husband emerging from the temple, unable to speak. His speech had been taken because of his doubt and disbelief.

Through words scribbled on a tablet, he relayed the message and the promise that his speech would be restored when the angel’s words came to pass.

Six Months of Silence

For six months they dwelt in virtual silence, Zechariah in his wonder and Elizabeth in her joy.

She stood with a hand on her belly, waiting for the first stirring of life.

Mary’s Visit

Looking down the dirt road, she saw a figure approaching. Shading her eyes, she recognized young Mary, a distant cousin.

As Mary drew near and spoke, Elizabeth felt as if a fierce mountain wind rushed into her aged body. The baby in her womb leapt, as if he would burst forth to reach her young cousin.

She answered Mary, “Mary, you are blessed above all women, as is the child you carry. But who am I, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? As soon as you spoke, the baby inside me leaped for joy. God has blessed me for believing He will do what He said He would do.”

Elizabeth’s Faith

Elizabeth never doubted what God had promised from the beginning. Even through years of barrenness, while those around her bore and raised children, Elizabeth was righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly (Luke 1:6).

I would infer that she was neither jealous nor bitter, but had a heart filled with gratitude and grace. She served alongside her husband the priest with faith and longing for the promised Messiah.

We do not always see our greatest longings satisfied in this life. One might say Elizabeth did. But did she? Read further and see the conditions surrounding her giving birth to a child.

John’s Calling

“…he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother’s womb… And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:15, 17).

Zechariah and Elizabeth would be raising a prophet. This child would not belong to them, but would belong wholly to God. It reminds me of Hannah.

Why John the Baptist Belongs at Christmas

Not many people include John the Baptist in the Christmas story. After this exchange between Elizabeth and Mary, with the babies still in the womb, we do not hear from John again until Jesus is preparing to start His public ministry.

He is not in Bethlehem with the shepherds. He did not tag along with the wise men.

So why is this part of my Hello Christmas series? Because without faith, we have nowhere to start. This is where it begins. Faith.

Gabriel’s Messages and Obedience

Gabriel, for we know it was he, introduced himself to Zechariah. He appeared to a skeptical priest, to a frightened young virgin, and again to a conflicted engaged man.

Each one had to trust the angel’s words, exercise faith that all would come to pass as he told them, and act in obedience based on that faith.

Faith That Pleases God

We are asked to do no less. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

We all exercise faith to one degree or another. It is just a matter of what we are putting our faith in. What are we trusting for our security? What are we depending on for our comfort and guidance?

Elizabeth trusted God.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Zechariah wavered at first, even though he could see the heavenly being. Elizabeth believed without ever seeing the angel. Faith is believing without seeing.

I will admit, having her husband struck mute might have bolstered that faith a bit, but still.

Are we like Zechariah, skeptical and needing reassurances before we commit to faith? Or are we like Elizabeth, who believes without seeing?

Christmas requires a great deal of faith. A young unmarried woman carrying the Messiah, shepherds seeing angels, Wise Men traveling years to see a baby with nothing but a star to guide them. And the biggest ask of faith of all: that God Himself left Heaven and chose to walk this lowly place called Earth for thirty-three years. That He willingly became an infant, helpless and dependent on a teenage girl. He humbled Himself so that we could come to know Him as a willing sacrifice for our crimes, our sins, our transgressions. 

Yes. Faith is the first and biggest ask of Christmas.

“For we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).