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RICHARD CORDER

After four centuries of silence, heaven finally spoke again. For 400 years, no prophetic voice had been heard in Israel since the close of the Old Testament. Then God broke the silence with announcements that would prepare the way for the promised Messiah.

The apostle Paul described this moment when he wrote about Christ, who existed in the form of God yet chose not to cling to His divine status. Instead, He emptied Himself and took on the nature of a servant, becoming fully human and demonstrating complete humility and obedience, even to death on a cross.

Throughout the Hebrew scriptures, promises had pointed toward this coming deliverer. The Messiah would offer His life as payment to satisfy God’s requirement that sin must be answered with sacrifice. Early followers of Christ (Around 335 AD) set aside December 25th to commemorate His birth, though the actual date remains unknown. The church established this winter date and began observing the four weeks leading up to Christmas as a time of spiritual preparation.

This season carries special importance today. The world focuses almost entirely on decorations, entertainment, and gift-giving, while very few pause to consider that Christmas marks the birth of Christ Himself. Taking time to prepare our hearts helps us celebrate the true meaning behind the season.

The word “advent” speaks of arrival and appearance. It points to the coming of the Messiah whose arrival the ancient prophets foretold. Isaiah wrote that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son named Emmanuel. He prophesied that a child would be born whose shoulders would carry the weight of government, called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Micah specified that this ruler would come from Bethlehem, though it was among the smallest towns in Judah.

The New Testament writers confirmed these prophecies. Matthew recorded that Mary was found to be carrying a child through the Holy Spirit before she and Joseph came together. Luke wrote of shepherds watching their flocks when a messenger appeared, announcing that a Savior had been born in David’s city. John wrote that in the beginning, the Word already existed with God and was God, and everything came into being through Him.

Three major announcements marked the beginning of this new era. First came the announcement to a priest named Zachariah that he and his wife would have a son who would prepare people for the Messiah’s arrival. Second came the announcement to Mary that she would carry the Son of God. Third came the announcement to shepherds that a Savior had been born.

Consider the people who received these announcements. Zachariah was a humble priest of no great prominence. Mary was a humble young woman of no reputation. The shepherds ranked among the lowest in society. They were uneducated, overlooked, dismissed as nobodies. Yet the messenger came to them.

During the reign of Herod, king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zachariah from the division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth also came from a priestly line. Both were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments. Yet they had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and both were now very old.

Being childless carried a heavy burden in their culture because people viewed it as punishment from God for hidden sin. But God saw them differently. He saw that they were both righteous, walking in His commandments, living blamelessly. People judge by outward appearances, but God looks at the heart.

God uses humble people who recognize their place before Him, who acknowledge their own sinfulness, who have turned from their sins and placed their trust in Christ. They are righteous not through their own righteousness but through Christ’s righteousness credited to them, and they walk daily in obedience to God’s word.

While Zachariah was faithfully serving in the temple, chosen by lot to burn incense, a messenger from God appeared to him at the right side of the incense altar. When Zachariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear. This messenger was Gabriel, who often appears in scripture to make important announcements.

Gabriel told Zachariah not to be afraid, for his prayer had been heard. His wife Elizabeth would bear a son, and they were to name him John. He would bring joy and gladness to them. He would be great in God’s sight, filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth. He would bring many Israelites back to God and go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, preparing a people ready for the Lord.

Zachariah and Elizabeth had prayed for years that God would give them a child. By this point, they had likely stopped praying because they had reached old age and childbearing was impossible. But God remembered their prayer even though they had forgotten it. Believers should never think God forgets their prayers. He remembers them even when they have been forgotten, and often answers them much later.

God’s timing is always perfect. He ordained that a child should be born to them in their old age, a child who would be a messenger announcing the arrival of Jesus. This child had to be born around the same time as Jesus to be the right age to announce His coming.

But Zachariah doubted. He said to the messenger, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is very old.” Too often believers offer prayers without really believing God will answer. This is unbelieving prayer. When Zachariah expressed doubt, there were consequences. The messenger answered, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens.”

When Zachariah came out of the temple, he could not speak. The people realized he had seen a vision because he kept making signs to them but remained speechless. He finished his week of service, then returned home to Elizabeth, still unable to tell her the amazing things he had heard.

The Bible teaches that God disciplines those He loves. Though Zachariah was righteous and obedient, he still failed to trust God. He was silenced until the day God’s promise came to pass. He would have been so excited to tell his wife that in their old age they would have a son, but God closed his mouth. He could not do the very thing he most wanted to do.

But this did not stop God from doing what He had promised. Even though His servant had been disobedient, God did not withdraw His promise. After those days, Elizabeth conceived and remained in seclusion for five months. When Elizabeth realized she had conceived, she kept herself hidden. She wanted to be certain of her pregnancy before appearing publicly.

She and Zachariah rejoiced just as Gabriel had said they would. Elizabeth particularly rejoiced because God took away her disgrace. For years she had been the subject of jokes and accusations. Now she would have a child—not just any child, but a special child who would be a messenger preparing people for the arrival of the Messiah.

This was the first announcement after 400 years of complete silence from God. God had now spoken, and His Son was about to enter the world. But first, the messenger had to be born. God does not forget His people or their prayers. When believers serve Him faithfully, that is often when He speaks most clearly.