When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
— Luke 1:23-25 (NIV)
In Luke 1:23-25, we see a moment of divine fulfillment in the life of Zechariah and Elizabeth. After Zechariah's encounter with the angel and the time of service in the temple, he returns home, and Elizabeth conceives. This is no ordinary pregnancy. For years, Elizabeth and Zechariah had prayed for a child, but due to their old age, they had long lost hope of seeing this prayer answered. Yet, in God's perfect timing, He does what seemed impossible. Elizabeth recognizes that it is the Lord who has graciously answered her prayers and removed her disgrace, giving her the joy of motherhood when it seemed too late.
Elizabeth's response is one of gratitude and awe. She understands that what God has done for her is not just a gift, but an act of favor that has changed her life. For her, pregnancy isn't just about a child but the end of years of shame and sorrow. It's a testament to God's power to bring new beginnings when everything seemed closed. In the same way, Advent calls us to reflect on how God is continually bringing new life and new hope into our lives, even when we feel that it’s too late or that circumstances are against us. Just as Elizabeth's story is one of transformation, Advent invites us to expect transformation through Christ's coming.
The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth reminds us that God’s timing is always perfect, and even in the waiting, He is working. Advent is a time of waiting for Christ’s coming, but it’s also a season to trust in God's ability to bring new things into our lives, especially in moments when we think it’s too late. Whether it's a dream long forgotten, a broken relationship, or a hope that seems impossible, we can trust that the Lord is still in the business of making all things new.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness and for the way You bring new beginnings into our lives. Like Elizabeth, help us to trust that You are working even when we can’t see it, and that Your timing is always perfect. As we wait for Christ’s coming, give us patience and hope, knowing that You have good plans for us. Amen.
Reflection Questions
These questions are designed to help you reflect more deeply on the themes of trust, obedience, and waiting on God’s timing during Advent.
- In what areas of your life do you need to trust that God's timing is better than your own?
- How can we shift our perspective to see God's "favor" in seasons of waiting or struggle?
- What new beginnings is God calling you to embrace during this Advent season?