Zechariah's Doubt

The father of John the Baptist was struck mute when he questioned the angel Gabriel's announcement that he would become the father of a child.  It was a natural thing to doubt, perhaps even ridicule this thought, especially with his wife being barren all their married life, and now certainly passed the child-bearing age.  One author suggests that if Zechariah had paused to reflect on his own experience and knowledge of the Scriptures, he might have come to the conclusion he was forced to accept: "Nothing is impossible with God." (Lk 1:37 )  He had plenty of time to reflect while unable to speak, and when his tongue was loosened proclaimed a magnificent hymn of praise and faith, which we now refer to as the Benedictus.  "Blessed be the Lord and God of Israel, for his has come to his people and set them free."  (Lk 1: 68)
And so it is with us, we are not muted, but we are blunted by our lack of reflection and faith.  May we take some time in these hectic days before Christmas to reflect on God's workings in our lives; to reflect on the story of Zechariah and the other events surrounding the birth of Jesus, and proclaim in word and deed our own Benedictus.
Bro. Rene