December 19, 2022
by Mardell Wilson
Creighton University's Provost
click here for photo and information about the writer

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Lectionary: 12

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25A
Psalms 71:3-4A, 5-6AB, 16-17
Luke 1:5-25

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Elizabeth Remembers the Story

As the youngest of three children, there were countless times growing up that my mother stated the following:  “Oh, Mardell, your time will come.”  I couldn’t wait to do all of the things my older brother and sister got to do.  I couldn’t wait to go to school, to have homework, to drive a car, to leave for college… and the list goes on.  However, almost every time she said it, I didn’t believe it would happen.  And almost every time, regardless of the coveted next milestone, it did.

How many times throughout the Bible does the Lord provide examples of Your time will come?  In today’s readings from Judges and Luke there are examples of angels coming to prophecy that good things were indeed to come.  However, it was difficult for Manoah and his wife and Zechariah and Elizabeth to even fathom that such a wonderful thing as the birth of a son could occur given each of their histories.  Because Zechariah needed more proof than merely the angel Gabriel’s proclamation that if he trusted and was patient, his time would come, he was rendered speechless.

As we read the lessons today, it seems so easy for us to trust and be patient for what was to come next.  Why was it so hard for Zechariah or Manoah’s wife?  It is simple… we know what comes next.  But what about the things we have yet to experience?  As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior during this Advent season we have great confidence in what was prophesied.  We know that the angels’ proclamations foretelling Samson and John’s births, as well as the birth of Jesus, came true.  But what about the next coming of Jesus?  Are we as sure that if we trust and we are patient, our Savior will come again?  Waiting and trusting that God’s plan is perfect is not easy.  We live in a broken and sinful world that oftentimes challenges our faith and trust – not just in God but in one another.  How many times do we think that we have to face our adversities alone?  Today’s Psalm reminds us that regardless of the challenge, God rescues us from the hand of the wicked.
During this time of Advent it is not that we cannot speak, like Zechariah, but that we must be prepared to listen to God’s word and our time will come

We pray:

Good and gracious Lord, may your promises of love, mercy and grace mute our doubts as we wait to celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus, during this Advent season.  May our continued faith and trust in your second coming give us the peace that you walk with us in good times and in bad, as we proclaim your wondrous deeds.  Amen.

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MardellWilson@creighton.edu

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