Advent 2: The God who can do the Impossible

As he heard the angel speak, Zechariah’s mind raced.

How could he go home to Elizabeth and tell her what the angel had just said? It had taken his wife many painful years to come to accept that she would never have children of her own. Zechariah knew that Elizabeth still felt a deep pain and shame at being unable to bear a child, so how could he tell her the words that the angel had spoken?

“Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.”

The angel went on to explain why John would be important, but Zechariah just couldn’t move past the impossibility of what was he was being told and so he said:

“How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

How do you feel when you are faced with having to ask God to do the impossible?

How do you feel when you believe that God is promising to do the impossible?

Well, the impossible happened!

Elizabeth did give birth to a son and she and Zechariah named him John.

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. His purpose in life was so important but it was born out of an impossible situation where God did a miracle that surprised everyone!

Do we still believe that God can do the impossible or have we come to think that the impossible is greater than God?

I pray that God would give us a greater expectation that he can do more than we ask or imagine and that we would come to believe and experience again that all things are possible with God.

This is the second in a series of short thoughts for advent to help us to consider the events surrounding the birth of Jesus as we prepare ourselves for Christmas.

There is one for each day in December leading up to Christmas day, so check back tomorrow to find out about ‘When life is frustrating’.

You can read more about Zechariah’s encounter with the angel in Luke 1.11-20 and you can find links to my other advent reflections by clicking here.