12/21/2015 Monday
Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7 Abraham & Sarah
When I first saw that Genesis was the
reading four days before Christmas, I was somewhat puzzled over how this was
related to Advent. The reading is about Abraham being visited by the Lord and
three angels. After showing them great hospitality, the angels tell Abraham
that Sarah will have a son despite her being past child-bearing age. At first
Sarah is skeptical, but the Lord kept his promise and Sarah gave birth to
Isaac.
When reading these verses, I was reminded
of my elementary school days. I went to a Lutheran elementary school in
Glendale, New York, and every year the school put on a fairly elaborate play
about the birth of Jesus. Starting after Thanksgiving, the entire school would
be involved in rehearsals until the night of the show, just before Christmas. I
remember the play very well because it was essentially the same each year, with
only minor tweaks to introduction and ending. One of the early scenes was the
visit of the angel Gabriel to Zechariah, proclaiming that Elizabeth would give
birth to a child even though she was past child-bearing age. Zechariah doubted
Gabriel’s message, and his ability to speak was taken by Gabriel for his
non-belief. Just as happened with Sarah and Abraham, God kept His promise to
Zechariah and Elizabeth, and she gave birth to a son. Zechariah’s ability to
speak returned when he wrote on a tablet that his son would be named John.
God’s plan was to have Sarah and Elizabeth,
both past the age of child-bearing, give birth to sons who played important
roles in the development of our faith. With both Isaac and John the Baptist,
God demonstrated that He keeps His word, and that with faith, anything is
possible.
Gracious God – Thank You for gift of faith
and the knowledge that with You, nothing is impossible. We look forward with
joy to celebrating the birth of Your son Jesus, and continually thank You for
all that You have given us. Amen
Arnold Schuff
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