The story of the Birth of Jesus would not be complete without Zachariah and Elizabeth, even though you will never see them in the Nativity decorations and displays abundant on tables and outside on the lawns of churches. Mary remembered their part in the story long after both of them were dead. Their son was to be a big part of Jesus ministry later as well. So I wanted to pick out those parts of the Luke chapter one and just take a few minutes to concentrate solely on them.
This elderly couple lived out in the "hill country" (verse 39) of Judah. The bible says they were "both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless" (verse 6). Zachariah was a priest and was in Jerusalem fulfilling one of the two annual weeks of temple duties that priests had at this time in Jewish history. He was chosen by lot for the honor (which, because of the number of priests, might be the first and only time) of offering incense in the Holy Place of the Temple, separated only by a curtain from the Holy of Holies (a place he would never enter unless he became High Priest) at the time of prayer. As he is burning the incense there "appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense" (verse 11) which startles and frightens him of course. The Holy of Holies is a very dangerous place for a priest! But the message that the angel brings is one of hope and wonder! A long ago prayer for a son is being at last fulfilled and what a son he was to be "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord" and "he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb" (verse 15). He had a special job "to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (verse 17).
What a blessing is conferred on these two! What a gift was given in their old age when hope was long past. How cool was it that even though God did not give them the son they had asked for long ago, they had never stopped serving Him? Many people not only give up hope of a favorable answer to long sought prayers but they give up on God as well. This example of faithful living is so needed today. Because we have trouble waiting for anything. Even waiting 3 minutes for the microwave to ding seems an age sometimes. It is easy to apply this "instant" way of thinking to God as well. We not only want answers quickly but we tend to expect them as well. Remembering Zachariah and Elizabeth's example will help us focus on the fact that God's timing is always impeccable.
God's Plans are Perfectly timed and Perfectly formed! This was never more apparent than in the Birth of His Son. The Jewish people had been praying for, longing for the promised Messiah for hundreds of years. And when God had prepared everything down to the last detail, He answered those prayers. In fact He had answered them as they were asked. His answer had been "Yes I will send Him" but... "It will Wait for the right time"! Just as Zachariah and Elizabeth's prayers were answered. "Yes I will give you a son, but you must wait until the time is right." How many of our prayers are answered in the same way? How many are answered with a "no"? We forget that "no" is an answer as well. We have to do the same in both cases: Realize that God does know best and then keep serving Him no matter what the outcome! We have to have Faith that Our Creator and Lord loves us and has all things in His hands. It is more than sufficient! God's gifts are greater than anything our "Christmas Lists" could ever contain!