Luke 1:57-66 (NRSV)
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Verse 57Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Verse 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. Verse 59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. Verse 60But his mother said, "No; he is to be called John." Verse 61They said to her, "None of your relatives has this name." Verse 62Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. Verse 63He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And all of them were amazed. Verse 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Verse 65Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. Verse 66All who heard them pondered them and said, "What then will this child become?" For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
Devotion
Luke 1:57-66 directly follows Mary’s song of praise. The birth of John the Baptist is narrated briefly so as to place focus on the eighth day after his birth, the day of circumcision. Zechariah, silent since his encounter with Gabriel, is now able to speak, but we do not yet hear his words. Rather, we hear how those present responded: "All who heard them pondered them” (v. 66). After the birth of Jesus and the visit of the shepherds, Mary’s response is to ponder, placing everything in her heart. Indeed, after the Magnificat, we do not hear Mary speak again. But can we hear her voice in her treasured thoughts? During this season of Advent, perhaps our first response to the wonder of it all is to be silent and ponder.
Prayer
God of wonder, create in us the desire for silence, the courage to think and the willingness to ponder when we remember each and every gift from you. Amen.