Scripture: Luke 1:8
Once when Zechariah was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard…”
Thought for the Day: The first response after an angelic appearance was often fear, and though we often picture angels as cute cupids, they were in fact something very different than what had been depicted over the last 700 years in paintings and other art forms. Angels have often left a person trembling, but there are other cases when we simply felt the breeze from their wings as they passed by. And when we encounter the gift left by these divine agent, our knees might shake, but it is less about fear and more about humility and awe. My wife, Donna, and I had such an experience this week. I won’t go into the details, but we were blessed by an unnamed angel whose presence was known only by the gift it left behind. I say, “Thank you,” to the angel, but such gifts are really God-sent, so I guess I extend gratitude to God as well.
Prayer: O Lord who chooses to come close, as we approach Advent and look to the stories of angels, may I glimpse the gifts offered by all your inspired messengers. Amen.
Don’t miss this Sunday…the First Sunday of Advent
December 2, 2012
Worship at 8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00am
also
Christmas Concert this Sunday night at 7:00pm
“Child in a Manger”
