Waiting: Day 21
Saturday December 20, 2025 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. Luke 1:62,63, English Standard Version Zechariah ain’t no dummy. He’s not disobeying Gabriel's orders, and he doesn’t leave his wife hanging out to dry. He grabs a pencil and lays down the law-the kid will be named John , and that settles it. But Luke tells us that “they all wondere
4 minutes ago2 min read
Waiting: Day 20
Friday December 19, 2025 And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” Luke 1:59b-61, English Standard Version I remember when our son, Cole, and his wife, Alecia, said they were considering the name Hazel for their daughter. In my late 50s at the time, I hadn’t known many Hazels in my lifetime. All of them were born before me. Long
1 day ago2 min read
Waiting: Day 19
December 18, 2025 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. Luke 1:59a, English Standard Version This is exactly where you would expect Zechariah-a priest-and Elizabeth to be, and it’s exactly what you would expect them to be doing. They are good, observant Jews who have just been blessed with a baby boy, so the little guy is going to get circumcised when he’s eight days old. Two great truths jump out at me here. The first, as we’ll see in tomorrow’s read
2 days ago2 min read
Waiting: Day 18
Wednesday December 17, 2025 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. Luke 1:58, English Standard Version Some things are meant to be experienced together. Grief and loss and trials are best faced with caring people surrounding us, supporting us, even carrying us. Likewise, the great celebrations of life are not solo affairs. We gather a crowd for a wedding, for a graduation, for a baptism. No team want
3 days ago2 min read
Waiting: Day 17
Tuesday December 16, 2025 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Luke 1:57, English Standard Version Gabriel’s prophecy comes true! Zechariah and Elizabeth’s quiet home is filled first with the cries of a newborn, soon with the babble of a growing infant, then with the words and laughter of a toddler. Their prayers have been answered. It’s so easy to just bounce right over this news of the fulfillment of God’s promise. Of course, the baby wil
4 days ago1 min read
