Advent Devotional December 7, 2025

Scripture

Luke 1:57–68

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” 62 Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.

Devotion

The Rev. Dr. Harold Bennett '25

“Glorifying, Not Griping About God”

Zechariah, a priest from the lineage of Abijah, was burning incense in the temple. Zechariah was an elderly priest, and he and his wife, Elizabeth, were childless. Given the socioeconomic importance of having children in the ancient world, one can only imagine the stress that Zechariah and Elizabeth experienced regularly. God had not forgotten about Zechariah and Elizabeth’s childlessness, so God sent Gabriel to inform Zechariah about the upcoming birth of a son to him and Elizabeth. Gabriel told him about the upcoming pregnancy, but Zechariah did not buy it.

As consequence of his unbelief, Zechariah lost his ability to talk until Elizabeth gave birth to the child. That is correct: Zechariah was unable to speak for nine months—nine whole months without being able to utter one single word! We can only imagine the discomfort and frustration he felt for nine months as he tried to convey his needs, thoughts, and feelings without being able to communicate verbally with anyone.

But when the child was born, and Zechariah was able to talk, the scripture said he praised God (Luke 1:64). Instead of complaining and grumbling about his experience and hardships over the past nine months, he blessed God. He refrained from badmouthing God. Instead, he gave thanks and honor to God. Zechariah spoke about the wonder of the Lord. He expressed his adoration for God.

What if we made a conscious effort to ensure that praises of God come from our mouths instead of complaints? Imagine if our voices, often filled with grumbles, instead overflowed with adoration for God? There is so much for which to be thankful. God deserves our hallelujahs. Zechariah encourages us to transform our speech into instruments of praise of God, regardless of our situations. Zechariah teaches us to let our words reflect the goodness of the Lord.

Prayer

Dear God, we glorify Your Name. Guide our words to proclaim Your greatness, during all liturgical seasons and through life's challenges. We repent for filling our voices with complaints. May our speech overflow with adoration for You. May our words articulate praise for You in every way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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