PLAYING CHARADES

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: LUKE 1 -- parts of verses 5 - 25 - the Birth of John the Baptist Foretold (please read verses 5 - 25)

(Zechariah went into the temple of the Lord) Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, …… "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. ….. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. ….. Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." The Angel answered, …… And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time." …….. When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

PLAYING CHARADES

As I was preparing the Sunday School lesson for this week, I had to laugh at the image of Zechariah coming out of the temple. The people were waiting on him. What did his face look like? It says they realized "he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them." Were his eyes big with wonder? Was he standing taller? Did his face show puzzlement? What signs did he make to help them understand what had happened.

And then it was time for him to go home. Can you picture Elizabeth opening the door and saying, "How was your day at the temple dear?" Then, and this is where my imagination really took over, can you picture Zechariah trying to explain - without speaking - that she was going to have a baby?

Remember, Elizabeth was "well along in years." The pregnancy would be the easy part. Of course staying "in seclusion" for five months would be a bit of a stretch. Pregnancy is followed by a delivery and a delivery before the medical breakthrough of blocking the pain with drugs. Then would come changing diapers. Potty training. The terrible twos. Dealing with a teenager. And all the time making sure this child John did not drink any wine or fermented drink. Plus the fact that he would be filled "with the Holy Spirit even from birth."

Now wouldn't you think Elizabeth would be just a bit upset? And scared?

If Bill came home and told me that he had a vision, a visit from an angel, and that I was going to be pregnant, I would probably take him to the emergency room. Why? Well first, I would think he was hallucinating. Second, he would need stitches from the injury he received when I whacked him with a ball bat.

Elizabeth had quite an adventure, which began because she and her husband were "upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." Can you picture Elizabeth as she finally figured out her husband's game of charades? Did she have a smile on her face as she realized she was going to have a baby?

Are you ready for verse 25? Was Elizabeth upset? No. "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." She wasn't upset. She was thrilled. She was thankful. Humble.

Then Elizabeth was visited by Mary and the baby "leaped in her womb." Luke 1:41

QUESTION AND ACTIVITY OF THE DAY

Can you imagine what Elizabeth must have felt like? Now go a little crazy. Act out this lesson. Try being Zechariah telling the people. Then try explaining to Elizabeth what was going to happen. Remember, you cannot talk.

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear God, As we prepare to celebrate the birth of YOUR SON, we see so many people being prepared to play their part. Mary would be a willing servant and mother to YOUR SON. Elizabeth would deliver the child who would prepare the way for Jesus. The shepherds would hear the good news and then visit the Christ Child. The wise men would travel far, to honor a baby that had been placed in a manger. YOUR SON came to earth for all - the humble servants like Mary. The upper class like Elizabeth. The poor like the shepherds. The rich like the wise men. Thank you, Heavenly Father. Thank you for sending YOUR SON for me. Amen

MERRY CHRISTMAS - MAY YOUR LIFE BE BLESSED BY THE BIRTH OF THIS BABY. --- Mary