Christmas is Coming: God's Faithfulness in the Story of John the Baptist
The Christmas story doesn't begin with Jesus' birth. According to Luke's Gospel, it starts earlier with the miraculous birth of John the Baptist. After 400 years of divine silence since the prophet Malachi, God breaks His silence with a supernatural birth that would prepare the way for the Messiah.
Why Does God Use Barren Women in Scripture?
Throughout the Bible, we see a pattern of God working through barren women to accomplish His purposes. Elizabeth becomes the seventh woman in Scripture to experience infertility before God intervenes. Like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and others before her, Elizabeth's story serves as what we might call a "Braxton Hicks contraction" - a preparation for the ultimate birth that would change everything.
These stories remind us that God specializes in doing the impossible for ordinary people. He doesn't need perfect circumstances or ideal candidates to accomplish His will.
What Does It Mean That God Remembers?
God Remembers the Problems of His People
When Luke introduces us to Zacharias and Elizabeth, Israel was living under Roman occupation with Herod the Great as their puppet king. This wasn't just a political crisis - it was a theological one. The Jewish people wondered if God had forgotten them entirely.
The name Zacharias means "God remembers," and this is no coincidence. Even when circumstances seem hopeless and God appears silent, He has not forgotten His people or His promises.
God Remembers Our Personal Pain
Elizabeth's infertility carried deep personal and social shame. In that culture, children were viewed as blessings from God, so childlessness was often seen as divine disapproval. Despite being described as "righteous before God, walking in all the commandments," Elizabeth endured decades of wondering why God seemed to be withholding His blessing.
Yet through all this pain, both Zacharias and Elizabeth continued serving God faithfully without bitterness or rebellion.
God Remembers Our Faithful Service
When Zacharias was chosen by lot to burn incense in the temple - a once-in-a-lifetime honor for most priests - God chose this moment to break His 400-year silence. This wasn't random timing. God remembered Zacharias's faithful service and chose to use him in this pivotal moment of redemptive history.
How Is God Gracious to Us?
God Is Gracious in Answering Our Prayers
The angel Gabriel tells Zacharias, "Your prayer is heard." This likely refers both to his immediate prayer for Israel's redemption and to the personal prayers he and Elizabeth had offered for years regarding their childlessness.
The name John means "God is gracious," highlighting that God didn't have to choose this elderly couple for such an important role. He could have used anyone, but He chose to pour out His grace on Zacharias and Elizabeth.
God Is Gracious in Granting Deliverance
Gabriel's prophecy about John echoes Malachi's promise of a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord. John would be the forerunner who points to Jesus - the ultimate deliverer Israel had been waiting for.
This deliverance wasn't just for Israel but for all humanity. Jesus would live a sinless life, die on the cross for our sins, and rise from the dead, offering salvation to anyone who believes in Him.
Does God Really Keep His Promises?
When Doubt Creeps In
Despite witnessing an angel appear before him, Zacharias struggled to believe the promise. He asked for proof, saying he and Elizabeth were too old to have children. Sometimes it's easier to believe God will work miracles for others than for ourselves.
Gabriel's response was swift - Zacharias would be unable to speak until the baby was born. This punishment became proof when the people realized something supernatural had occurred in the temple.
The Promise Fulfilled
When Elizabeth conceived, it was undeniable proof that God keeps His word. The name Elizabeth means "God of the promise" or "God keeps His promises." At their advanced age, this pregnancy was clearly miraculous.
Their joy must have been overwhelming - after decades of waiting, God had not only answered their personal prayers but had chosen them to play a crucial role in redemptive history.
What Does This Mean for Christmas Today?
John the Baptist's birth reminds us that Christmas is ultimately about God's faithfulness. Just as He kept His promise to send a forerunner, He kept His greater promise to send a Savior.
The supernatural circumstances surrounding John's birth give us confidence in the supernatural circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth. If God could give a child to an elderly, barren couple, He could certainly cause a virgin to conceive.
John's role was to point people to Jesus, and that should be our role during the Christmas season as well. Rather than getting caught up in materialism and commercialization, we should be pointing others to the true reason for the season.
Life Application
This Christmas season, challenge yourself to be like John the Baptist - a faithful forerunner who points others to Jesus. Don't let the busyness of the holidays distract you from the real meaning of Christmas.
Consider these questions as you reflect on this message:
In what areas of your life do you need to trust that God remembers your situation and hasn't forgotten you?
How can you show gratitude for God's grace in your life, especially the gift of salvation through Jesus?
What promises of God do you need to hold onto more firmly when doubt creeps in?
How can you point others to Jesus during this Christmas season rather than getting caught up in the commercial aspects of the holiday?
Remember that God remembers your struggles, He is gracious beyond what you deserve, and He always keeps His promises. The greatest promise He has kept is sending Jesus to be your Savior - making this Christmas, and every Christmas, worth celebrating.