December Devotions and Doodles – Day 9 (December 9)
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:57-65
57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.”
61 Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” 62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.
December 9 Devotional: A Light to Shine
I love this story. Zechariah may have doubted when the angel Gabriel came and told him what God had planned (see Day 5), but after his time spent in silence, he is fully on board. How often do I need to just keep my mouth shut in order to get on board with what God has planned? Answer: Way to often!
Light to a Community
The experience of Zechariah and Elizabeth is a light to all their family and friends. They see the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth when she was already to old and had been barren all her life. They are witnesses to Zechariah’s inability to speak for months and then the miracle of the return of his voice. Through this simple, faithful, little family, God demonstrates his power and plan.
The People Respond to God’s Demonstration
Zechariah and Elizabeth set the tone for a response from the people. Elizabeth rejoices…and the people rejoice with her. Zechariah’s immediate response to receiving his voice back is to praise God. He doesn’t start explaining to others about the angel’s visit, why he lost his voice, or that some great sin had not removed his ability to speak. No, he joyfully praises God.
And the people fear and reverence God for His amazing power.
A Light Before He can Even Talk
John is only a baby, but already the prophecy that he will be a light that shines the way for the Messiah. Before he can even talk, people are drawn to praise, reverence, and fear God by witnessing his family.
They wonder, “What then will this child become?”
What Then Will This Child Become?
When my children were small, I wondered this too. I still do. What does God have in store for them? What will they become when they grow up?
This wondering is magnified and spreads throughout the whole area with John. They recognize that God’s hand is on John, but they don’t know why or to what purpose.
However, Zechariah and Elizabeth know the truth. They have been told that John will prepare the way for the Messiah. He will be a light shining in the wilderness so people can recognize the authority and identity of Jesus.
A Light to Shine
John shines in a dark world, causing people to point, watch, and wonder about God and the Messiah.
December 9 – Action Step:
What about us today (December 9)?
Do the people around us watch and point and wonder about God? Do our lives cause a response of fearing and reverencing God? Are we a light that shines to show people the way to the Christ?
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You that You have a purpose and plan even for our ordinary families. Help us to be a light to everyone around us this Christmas season. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Drawing Tutorial – December 9: How to Draw Christmas Lights
- Draw a curvy line with a few large loops.
- Add small rectangles that flare out away from the line, alternating top and bottom of the line.
- Finish off with small teardrop/flame shapes on each rectangle.
Click here to check out other posts in this series: December Devotions and Doodles!