Day Ten - Two Questions

Right at the beginning of the Christmas story we’re introduced to two people - Jesus’ mother, Mary and the lesser known Zechariah. About six months before Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she would conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit, the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah in the temple, where he’s performing his priestly duties. What instigated such an honour? Scripture tells us that Zechariah and his wife had been praying to God for a child (Luke 1:13) and now they were about to receive their “yes!”. Wow, imagine that - God sends one of his angels who stands in His presence (Luke 1:19) to personally tell Zechariah, “I’ve heard you, here you go!”.

However, Zechariah’s response is an interesting one. Instead of leaping for joy and praising God, he looks to the situation of his and his wife’s old age and questions God’s ability to perform His promise saying, “How will I know this?” (Luke 1:18). In other words, “how can this be true, seeing that we’re two old people who’re past it?”. Frustrated, Gabriel shuts up Zechariah’s mouth for the duration of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Bear this in mind because we’ll return to it in just a moment.

Now let’s consider Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was also visited by the busy angel Gabriel to tell her that she too would miraculously conceive a very important Son (Luke 1:26-33). Mary's response was to ask a similar question to that of Zechariah’s - “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). But the angel Gabriel’s answer is totally different. He doesn’t just go on to tell her how it will happen, he goes further by assuring her, using the miraculous pregnancy of her cousin Elizabeth as an example.

Two seemingly similar questions. Two vastly different responses. Why? Because, where Zechariah questioned God’s ability to do that which He said He would do, Mary simply questioned how God would do what He said He’d do.

Sometimes, I think we can all be like Zechariah to some degree. Perhaps this Christmas you’re faced with various challenges - effects of the cost of living; disputes among family members; a lonely Christmas - and you’re struggling to believe that God can turn things around. Or maybe you believe God can turn things around but struggle to believe He’ll turn it around for you.

Well this Christmas I want to encourage you with the words of the angel Gabriel - nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37) and, not only is He able, He’s willing to intervene on your behalf in a powerful way.  So, if you’re looking towards Christmas wondering how you’ll make it through, instead of questioning God, bring your questions to God, giving Him an opportunity to answer and maybe even show up with a Christmas miracle.

Pray about your December anxieties.