The Weekly Word: The Light of Christmas
The weekly verse
“For God so loved the world that He sent His one & only Son [Jesus], so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life.”
John 3:16
the weekly question
What’s your next step?
In Luke Ch. 1 (AMP), we’re introduced to Zacharias & his wife Elizabeth. Zacharias is a priest who has faithfully served in the temple of God for many years. We also learn that he and Elizabeth are “advanced in age” & have never had a child.
One day, Zacharias is selected to make the incense offering to God, which leads to the supernatural shift in his story. As he’s standing in the sanctuary, Zacharias becomes terrified as he suddenly encounters the angel Gabriel. At which point, Gabriel says:
“Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John…You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth…and he [John] will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit…in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord [Jesus].”
In disbelief, Zacharias asks how he can be “certain” of this. And in response, Gabriel verifies that he’s been sent as a messenger from The Lord’s Presence. Gabriel then informs Zacharias that he will be mute (unable to speak) until John’s birth because of his unbelief.
As you look ahead to the 8th day that follows the birth of John, people are preparing to name the child after his father, Zacharias. Though this was customary in that day, Elizabeth speaks up & informs the crowd that her son will instead be named John.
In a confused response, the people reply, “none of your relatives are called by that name.” And at this point, the mute Zacharias is given a writing tablet. He then confirms his wife’s words by writing, “His name is John.”
“…At once Zacharias’ mouth is opened and his tongue freed, and he begins speaking, praising and blessing and thanking God…Now Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him, and he prophesied…” (v. 64 & 67).
The beauty of Zacharias’ story is, the truth that altered his life is the same truth that transforms ours today. Like you and I, Zacharias was an ordinary man with an ordinary life…until God brought the Good News of Jesus into the equation.
The 8th day that followed John’s birth, the day of “new beginnings”, brought about a faith-building moment for Zacharias. The crowd saw no reason for his son to be named John, but in the middle of life’s “doesn’t make sense moments”, faith in God’s Word shines the brightest.
By faith, Zacharias confirmed God’s Word in naming his son John—the one who would prepare the way for Jesus. This confession of faith led to an outpouring of thanksgiving & praise, as well as, an empowering of God’s Spirit. And this is what God desires for us.
No matter where we are in our walk with Christ, there is a good confession of faith to make. We may go through moments of darkness & confusion, but it’s what we declare in the dark that brings the life-changing Light of Jesus into our heart.
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into your next step of faith in this season of life. Let the Good News of Jesus fill your heart with an overflow of thanksgiving & praise to God. Let your faith in Jesus be the declaration that delivers God’s power.
the weekly Consideration
By definition, a “breakthrough moment” involves something instantaneous & clearly observable. The irony, however, is that the process leading up to a breakthrough looks completely different than the moment itself. Like a seed that’s been sown, the process is built around the promise of potential. And as such, it takes time, stewardship, & ultimately it takes faith to believe for something you haven’t yet seen.
The good news is, God never comes up short on the promises He gives to His people. According to His perfect timing & will, The Lord stands ready to meet & exceed the expectations that He sows into the heart of those who faithfully follow Jesus. Though the process is often painful, and filled with countless moments of waiting & enduring, may we never stop believing for the payoff that’s sure to come. May we continue to cling to every promise that God’s given us through His Son.
”Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day when the foundation of the Lord’s Temple was laid. Think carefully. I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you.”
Haggai 2:18-19 (NLT)
the weekly challenge
Rest in the light of christ
In today’s all-measuring world, the end of the year has become the ultimate progress-report moment. With one “year-end summary” after another, you can literally keep score on nearly every aspect of your life. And while many of these aren’t necessarily bad things, it’s easy to get caught up in believing they’re the “only” things.
In this season of reflection, there’s a constant temptation to turn our affection away from God’s Spirit & place all the attention back on ourselves. But instead of becoming impressed with our highlights or depressed by our “low-lights”, The Lord invites us to simply rest in His Light.
”Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79 (NLT)
The birth of Jesus is the brightest & most beautiful display of God's Light, and we should be awestruck by His loving divinity. As those who’ve passed from death to Life, we should be walking on His path of peace & serenity.
Instead of reflecting on “how far you’ve come”, let true peace flood your heart as you remember what Christ has done. Let this be a moment to consider the immeasurable work of The Lord. Let this be a moment to reflect the Presence of His Light—delivered 2000 years ago on that sacred, Holy Night.
we pray this week’s edition of “the weekly word” blesses you & the lives of those around you!
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