Advent Day 23 - An Advent message - embrace your humanity

Luke 1:1-25

           There are four primary Gospels that most of us are aware of. There are others but for one reason or another they were not officially accepted by the church when the New Testament was formalized. You can google some of the others if you wish such as the Gospel of Thomas or Mary. One of the 'proofs' for a Gospel was it's prevalence among the faithful. Another was how it 'fit' ( agreed with, corroborated) the other Gospels. Relatively recent scientific studies have shown when each of the four accepted Gospels were written, their sources, common sources and who actually wrote them. Hint: It wasn't Matthew, Mark, Luke or John ( although John is more of a possibility than the others ).

             Why am I seemingly debasing the value or authority of Holy scripture? The same reason that I would argue against the literalism of Genesis. The same reasons I make arguments about translations, original texts and the nuances of words' meanings taken by us 250, 500 or 2000 years later.

              The facts that remain, even if you agree literally or disagree with the actual words is the essence of the word of God. What truth is God trying to convey? Is it that, if you doubt you will be rendered mute? Is it a warning against strong wine or drink? I think not, although anything in excess is not good.

              The true message is our repeated calls to return to faith and to honor the message of Jesus Christ.  Is that found in rules and rubrics? Can Jesus' true message be taken from questionable sources, spurious translations and literalism? What word should be taken literally? Whose definition? What human agenda does the person deciding have? Their own vision or God's?

               As we celebrate the incarnation, it is at the very least an annual reminder to return to the faith and life we are called to. To appreciate our very own  humanity, the humanity Jesus embraced.

Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed. 

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’