Word to the Wise
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 -
[Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a and Luke 1:5-25]"Though you are barren and have had no children, yet you will conceive and bear a son. Now, then, be careful to take no wine or strong drink and eat nothing unclean." [Judges] "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." [Luke]
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 DECEMBER 19 - ADVENT WEEKDAY
[Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a and Luke 1:5-25]
"Though you are barren and have had no children, yet you will conceive and bear a son. Now, then, be careful to take no wine or strong drink and eat nothing unclean." [Judges]
"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." [Luke]
When the secular calendar reaches December 17th, no matter where we are in Advent, the scriptures change to meet the period of the eight days before Christmas. We are still in Advent, but the scriptural focus becomes more intense. On Monday and Tuesday, December 17 and 18, the background of Jesus', his "credentials," as it were, were the focus in the genealogy and story of Joseph - to show that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and David. Today, the subject of improbable birth comes to center stage. Scripture scholars have pointed out that the issue of Jesus' "legitimacy" appears to have been a subject of questions in the early preaching. The story of Joseph taking Mary as wife even though she was pregnant required explanation. The examples of Samson and John the Baptist would have been important in the preaching. The important point would be divine intervention in human history. We shouldn't, however, allow the big theological questions completely overshadow the wonderful human drama of these accounts.
In today's scriptures, we have the stories of two women who were unable to conceive. God intervenes and two biblical heroes, Samson and John the Baptist take their places in the divine plan. The advice given to Samson's mother sounds like modern pre-natal care! When the angel Gabriel appears to Mary, he calls her attention to the fact that Elizabeth, her cousin, is pregnant" "She who was barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God." The miracle of human conception and birth is there for us to ponder. The sadness of infertility and the terrible toll of abortion are also there for us to keep in prayer as well. It's a lot to keep in mind, but this is a special time and requires a special effort. AMEN