Advent(Dec. 20): God Remembers

Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.  But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.

Luke 1:6-8, 11-12

In a dark and godless time, Zachariah and Elizabeth had hearts for God, and God saw them. When the rest of the world ignored God and His ways, Zachariah and Elizabeth chose His ways and walked with Him.  They chose each day to do only what would please God.(source)

"Elizabeth, along with Zechariah, prayed that God would remember the promise He had made to them, to give them a child." But they were getting up in age.

"Zechariah's name means 'God remembers.' But on some days, Zechariah felt that God had forgotten him." 

So, on this special day, that came only once a year: the Day of Atonement, the day people celebrated being right with God, an angel appeard to Zechariah. And he was frightened!

Due to the fact that Elizabeth was barren, and barrenness was usually associated with a divine curse, Zachariah probably expected the worse when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the Holy Place.(source)

"This is what the angel declared. Zechariah and Elizabeth would give birth to a baby boy who would be named John."

"God gives us grace - He graciously gives us one gift after another. He gives us breath and life and each other, and He gives us all of Himself.

We need to get our hearts ready to welcome Jesus into every part of our lives. The best way to do this - come to Him, just as you are.

God gives Himself as the greatest Gift - Jesus! Jesus is all good and He is all yours, and this is always your miracle - your Greatest Gift!"

Come back again, as I share Day 21 of the Advent Calender...in the book, "Unwrapping the Greatest Gift".(All quotes listed are from the book, unless indicated.)

From December 1st to December 25th

I will be sharing each story in this beautiful book, as well as some of the breathtaking pictures. Won't you join me? Stop by each day to see the stories shared. If you would prefer I email you each days post, please leave your email in the comments section or send me an email at apop12341@hotmail.com 
and let me know. I will make sure each post is sent to you.

To view the whole series on one page, go HERE

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