Luke 1:57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.
I was tempted to skip ahead to the birth of Jesus for today’s devo reflection, but last night our Christmas Eve sermon was entitled “When the Timing is Wrong,” and I decided to stay exactly where God has placed me in Luke at the moment. In today’s scripture, we are celebrating John’s birth. On today’s date, we are celebrating Jesus’s birth. The timing seems wrong on so many things in life, but if we look, there are always reasons to celebrate.
Luke 1:58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
Along with wrong timing, these chapters in Luke show us that even when something defies expectations, it can be a blessing. Zechariah was only a lowly priest. Elizabeth was so far past childbearing years. Mary was an unwed teen. Joseph didn’t want to marry scandal. And yet, John was born to pave the way, and Jesus was born to save us all, proving that even when nothing goes according to expectation, life can still be beautiful.
Luke 1:59-60 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”
Precious Savior, Thank You for these crucial reminders that even when the timing is all wrong, even when every expectation is upended, You are working. Help us, as we go through this day where we have so many hopes and expectations, to be mindful of Your presence, of Your blessings, of Your hope. Amen.
Luke 1:61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
Have a blessed day.