These questions are used for personal contemplation or to discuss with a friend/spouse/small group.

God is always faithful to keep his promises. 

What promises has the Lord kept in your life? What promises are you still awaiting?

We all have our moments of doubt. We may struggle and make mistakes. What do we learn about God by the second, third, and many chances he gives us?

Is confessing sin a regular practice in your life?

What is your response to God for the many times he has forgiven and cleansed you? 

As Zachariah considers the amazing work of God in his life, he praises God. Take a moment to think of the ways you’ve seen God at work in your life. Consider writing your own song of praise on response to this meditation. 

How might you help a friend understand their need to be saved from sin and the consequences of sin?

This is only a set of ideas. Overlay these ideas with the knowledge and experience you have of your specific family.

Devotional from Today in the Word by Moody Bible Institute

Luke 1:57–80

The first decorated Christmas tree in 1510 was a fir tree placed in a public marketplace in Riga, Latvia, and decorated with paper roses by local merchants in order to honor the birth of Christ. The idea of decorating Christmas trees caught on—ornaments included apples, nuts, cookies, colorful paper, and lighted candles—and eventually German settlers brought this holiday custom to the United States. Colored glass balls were popular ornaments at the end of the nineteenth century, with electric lights soon following. The lighting of the first White House Christmas tree took place in 1923. 

Luke continued his account of the first Christmas in today’s reading by narrating the birth of John the Baptist. From a human perspective, this was a joyful occasion. Elizabeth knew that God had blessed her and Zechariah and answered their prayers for a child. Her relatives and neighbors shared in the joy and praised the Lord with them for this miracle baby. From God’s perspective, though, much more was going on, and He reminded everyone of this during the circumcision and naming ceremony. The baby’s name itself, John, contradicted expectations because it was not a traditional family name. And when Zechariah spoke for the first time in nine months to affirm that they would be obeying God and naming the child John, the onlookers were doubly astonished. 

What did it all mean? One point here is that God’s plans are a sure thing. No sooner has Gabriel made the announcements in Luke than we see them coming to pass. Another point is that the time has come. After so many prophecies and centuries of waiting, the time has at last arrived in God’s plan for the advent of the Messiah. 

At a personal level, the transformation in Zechariah’s heart foreshadowed the work God would do and has been doing, in countless hearts through salvation in Christ. Verses 67 through 79, known as the Benedictus, show clearly that Zechariah had come to trust not only in the angel’s words concerning baby John, but to trust more deeply in God’s covenant faithfulness. 

Apply the Word - God is in the business of changing lives. Sometimes the change is lightning–quick; sometimes, as in Zechariah’s case, it takes more time. The result is always a deepened faith and a hunger for the glory of God. The question becomes, then, in what ways is God transforming your heart? He loves you no less than He loved Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph. And though we stand at a distance in time from the Christmas story, we are equally in need of the Savior.

For fun: Try communicating with a writing tablet to see what it was like for Zechariah!