Holy Space

The Angel of the Lord (seems that is a title which begs to be capitalized) met Zechariah in the sanctuary - an inner portion of the temple that could be entered only by a priest because it was holy.

Holy means "to be set apart for the service of God."  The sanctuary was a holy space, and in this holy space God set in motion the divine plan for the redemption of creation. "Zechariah," the angel said, "Elizabeth will bear a son and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit."  A divine announcement in a holy space.

This child, to be named John (God is gracious) was to grow in the womb of a barren woman.  God creates in Elizabeth a holy space where her prayers were to answered, where a prophet would grow, where the divine plan could literally take form. 

John will become God's holy space among God's people, reminding them of the God who has remembered Israel, and carving out a space - a holy space - for Israel to become a part of the divine plan just now being revealed.

Advent is the perfect time to carve out a holy space in your days, in your prayers, in your family time so you too might prepare yourself for the coming Savior.  Press to the side all the other things which clamor for your attention, clear out the 'musts' and 'shoulds' and open a space for the Word of God to come into your life.  When your thoughts and heart are a holy space for God's work in you, all the other preparations of this season are but window trimming.

Which part of 'angel' don't you understand?

It's a pretty cheeky response to a wonderfilled story of Gabriel's visit to Zechariah. (Luke 1.5-23)

Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth have been unable to have children.  This would have been a terrible grieving for them and society could have  decided [and most likely did] that Elizabeth's barrenness was due to her 'unrighteousness' before God.

Gabriel appears to Zechariah in the inner portion of the temple to tell him that God has gifted them with a child: a boy - a very special boy.  His name would be John "God is gracious" and would call his people to repentance. 

Zechariah's response was, "What sign will you give me that this will happen?"

 

What?  An angel wasn't enough? 

He couldn't wait to see if Elizabeth gained some weight?

I can't even begin to figure out why the visitation by an angel was not enough for Zechariah.  Perhaps he was babbling, but certainly his request for a 'sign' was not received well; he was struck mute until the day John was born. 

I just wonder if maybe we have been visited by angels and couldn't see them for what they were:  messengers from God, bringing good news, bridging the gap between our reality and divine reality.  I wouldn't be surprised if I have been guilty of wanting a sign, being unwilling to wait, or simply ignoring the messenger. 

Even though I would expect an angel, certainly one as important as Gabriel, to show up with bright lights and possibly wings, perhaps God doesn't work according to my expectations.  [Perhaps??]

Let us be on the look out for angels inviting us to be a part of God's great plan for this world, and just possibly, remember not to ask for a sign!