Silent Time, Holy Time

An Advent reading for December 20.

Advent Week 4: Incarnation and Nativity


This week, we step into the events of the Nativity and consider the miracle of the eternal Word entering the world as a human child. We learn lessons of faith from the people whom God chose to play a part in these events. And we celebrate the good news of great joy for all people!

Read Luke 1:5–25, 57–66.

If you grew up with snow at Christmas, you know there’s nothing quite like the silence of a cold winter night. This is not just a sentimental idea—it’s part of God’s creational design. Fresh snow absorbs and dampens sound. Father Joseph Mohr was one such man who reflected on the phenomenon of a cold winter night. Mohr was the young priest who penned the words that became the beloved carol we often sing this time of year, “Silent Night.”

In the backstory to Jesus’ birth, we meet another priest, Zechariah, and his wife, Elizabeth. Luke tells us that they were both of priestly descent and were faithful and godly people. But they also suffered greatly—their long marriage had been childless and they were now old. Then a miracle happened: The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that God would answer their decades-long, anguished prayers. They were going to have a son!

This story could end there, and it would be a delightful Christmas tale of sadness being replaced with joy. But there’s an unexpected and dark note in the tune that we can’t ignore. Because Zechariah struggled to believe Gabriel’s message (and who wouldn’t?), he was struck mute for the entirety of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. He was silent. Zechariah went from being a respectable, articulate priest of God to an old man who could only communicate with hand signals. This was humbling—even humiliating. What are we to make of this troubling turn?

God is always doing a thousand good things in every situation, even if we can’t see them. God’s heart of compassion is yet at work here in providing this old couple with a son of joy. God’s power is manifested in eventually using this son to usher redemption into the world. He would become the famous baptizing prophet in the wilderness, calling God’s people back and pointing ahead to Jesus.

The story of Zechariah shows us that God continues to do his good and gracious work even amid our brokenness and disbelief. Zechariah’s stumbling faith was no hindrance to God’s power. Though Zechariah’s forced silence was frustrating and humbling, in reality, it was a gift. Through this negative miracle, God showed Zechariah and the world that these events were not mere coincidences. No, this silent season demonstrated that God was on the move in a new and powerful way to bring life into the world. As a result, Zechariah’s story didn’t end with judgment, but with God opening his mouth once again to proclaim the beauty of God’s mercy.

Jonathan T. Pennington is a professor of New Testament at Southern Seminary and a pastor of spiritual formation. His books include Jesus the Great Philosopher.

Read Luke 1:5–25, 57–66. (Option: Also revisit vv. 67–79.)

Zechariah was the first to learn God was doing something amazing—something God’s people had been waiting for. What do you imagine Zechariah thought or wondered during his months of silence? What does his story highlight about God and salvation?

Also in this issue

Many core tenets of the gospel reverberate powerfully throughout Advent’s traditional readings and themes. In these daily devotional readings from CT, we reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation, on Christ’s purpose as the long-awaited Messiah, on our sin and need for repentance, on God’s promises of salvation and justice, and on our firm hope in Christ’s return and everlasting kingdom. We prepare to celebrate the “newborn King” who was “born that man no more may die,” as Charles Wesley’s beloved carol declares. And we’re reminded again and again throughout Advent that the gospel is not just for us, but it is a message of “great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10)—it’s good news that’s meant to be shared.

The God Who Suffers

A Light to the Nations

Great Joy for All People

Quietly Hidden

Gospel Anticipation

A Pregnant Promise

Let it Be

What it Means to Be God

The Baby King

The Light Is Coming

The Messiah’s Mission

True Hope

Bringing Us Home

What Hope Looks Like

The Gospel of Advent: Good News for the Season

Behold the Lamb

Amazing, Cleansing Grace

Good, Severe News

Repentance Made Possible

The Rising Son

Comfort My People

He Won't Leave Us Alone

The Gospel Life in Person

Come, Lord Jesus!

City of Light

All Things New

Right or Left?

Watch and Pray

We Begin at the End

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