Advent Reading for December 12, 2023 | “Rejoicing in Hope: Exploring the Joy of Advent” from Luke 1:57-66

⁵⁷ Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. ⁵⁸ And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. ⁵⁹ And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, ⁶⁰ but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” ⁶¹ And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” ⁶² And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. ⁶³ And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. ⁶⁴ And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. ⁶⁵ And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, ⁶⁶ and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

Luke 1:57-66

“Rejoicing in Hope: Exploring the Joy of Advent”
by Burt Schmitz

Today we begin thinking about the third week of Advent.  This is the week of joy.  There are few events in the lives of individuals that bring more joy than the birth of a child.  Imagine with me some of what is happening with the birth of this child.  Elizabeth in her old age has not only become pregnant, beyond any hope, and has now given birth to a child.  She who at one time felt disgraced has found favor with God (Luke 1:24-25).  Elizabeth rejoices!  Her son was born!  Oh joy!  Her neighbors rejoice along with Elizabeth.  I can hear them now.  The sounds of rejoicing and laughter with one who has been blessed with her first-born child a son.  Most of us have seen this scene and the joy it brings to our lives, and we can relate to the joy that comes with the birth of a child.

But is joy only a feeling that we get when things are going our way or when something wonderful and inexplicable happens to us?  No, joy is much more than this.  There is a joy that is experienced by God’s people that is based on more than a feeling.  This joy rises above circumstances and focuses on the very character of God.^[i]  I can think of no reason to have joy more than that God has provided a way of salvation for us, His creation.  Romans 5:12 states it this way, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith in this grace in which we stand:  and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”  What does that have to do with our Scripture for today?

When Zechariah was in the temple and the angel Gabriel was foretelling the birth of his son, Gabriel said, “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth” (Luke 1:14).  Joy and rejoicing at the birth of Elizabeth and Zechariah’s son.  Why?  It is not just the whole old age issue.  It is because “he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.  It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah…to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17-18).  Joy because salvation is coming to the house of Israel and to all peoples!

Rejoicing and then confusion as Elizabeth says that his name is John.  This is affirmed by Zechariah who writes “His name is John.” And immediately begins to speak in praise of God!  A whole lot of joy and rejoicing because God is showing His people salvation.  This was news that spread throughout the hill country of Judea, their home.  Joy and rejoicing not just in the birth of a child.  Joy and rejoicing because God is bringing salvation to His people.  The really good news is this.  The salvation that is spoken of for the people of that time is not just for them.  This same salvation is available to us today through faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.  “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).  Accept Jesus and experience true joy in His salvation.

Reflection Questions:

1. Considering Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s joy at the birth of their son John, how might the angel’s prophecy about John’s role in turning people back to God contribute to their joy?
2. When Zechariah affirms the name John, leading to his immediate praise of God, what does his reaction reveal about the significance of God’s plan and the joy that comes from seeing it play out in real life?

"Adorned with the Word" from Colossians 3:15-17 (Refresh & Restore: Colossians — Jesus Over All) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

Today's podcast is a Bible study looking at what it means to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly — to understand what it means for our churches. Your can find the written version of this Bible study here at JustKeithHarris.com, complete with cross-references and footnotes.

1. "Adorned with the Word" from Colossians 3:15-17 (Refresh & Restore: Colossians — Jesus Over All) 33:14
2. "Adorned with Thankfulness" from Colossians 3:15-17 (Refresh & Restore: Colossians — Jesus Over All) 22:14
3. Advent 2023 — Christmas, December 25 | "The Light of the World is Here!" 10:56
4. Advent 2023 — Christmas Eve, December 24 | "Good News of Great Joy, or The Weary World Rejoices" 11:04
5. "A Tale of Two Saviors (Really, the One and Only)" from Luke 2:1-12 (Refresh & Restore) 19:37

[i]           Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995).