Daily Devotionals
December 13, 2017
Patient Parents
December 13, 2017
DAILY READING
This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
FIELD NOTES
Old Zechariah was “getting on in years”—such a kind way of putting it—and he and his wife Elizabeth had no children. This was very hard for a faithful priest and his devoted wife to deal with, especially righteous and blameless folk such as they.
Then the angel Gabriel appeared to the old man in the sanctuary and told him his prayers would be answered beyond any expectation. The priest found that hard to believe after so long a time, and he challenged the angel. Although that faithful patience had waivered for only a moment, he paid a hard price. He couldn’t even speak to tell anyone his good news and was mute from then until John was born.
A special child was born and entrusted to very special parents. With strict guidelines, they raised him all the way into the promise that “he will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord…to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
And this child John, born of devoted, God-fearing, patient parents, prepared the way for the One who was to come.
As we wait during this Advent season to celebrate the coming of the Christ child, may we be patient and ready to respond to the promise for our own lives.
QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD
- Have you ever waited for something and wanted something so badly that you couldn’t believe it when it happened?
FAMILY FIELD TALK
- What role did John’s parents play in helping him become the man who knew Jesus when he saw him and even baptized him?
- Where did that wisdom come from?
PRAYER GUIDE
O God of surprises and kept promises, keep us faithful in our dependence on You. Grant us patience to wait and understand the wisdom of your timing. Amen.