Once a year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a Jewish priest would be privileged to offer special prayers in the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the Temple. (Take a look at the floor-plan of the Temple from Wednesday’s reading this week.) Lots were drawn to see who be chosen. Perhaps they had a pile of straws; the priest who picked the shortest one was the winner. Only a priest who hadn’t won before in his life, could accept the honor. This is what happened to Zechariah.
The priest would then pray for the coming of the the Messiah who would save God’s people. But Zechariah offered an extra, personal prayer. He and his wife Elizabeth never had children. They were very sad.
Everything changes when the Angel Gabriel visits Zechariah. Feel the changes and get ready to share in great happiness.
Examples of Bible Breaths Learn More…
Living righteous and blameless v. 6
Fearing not: my prayer’s been heard v. 13
Being filled with the Spirit v. 15
A people prepared for God v. 17
Check out Study Tools in BibleGateway.
I especially recommend the free resource
in Matthew Henry’s Commentary.‘s Commentary.
During Advent, on Fridays, we read from the Infancy Narratives of St. Luke
These Firestarters are for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook. You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or table! Check the menu options at the site for more information.
The Bible Through the Seasons 