Advent: Week 1 | Day 5

December 2 | Luke 1:5-10

In ancient cultures, couples, especially the wives, were looked down on for not having children. There was a lot of stigma, and it would’ve produced a lot of shame. Older couples like this would have been considered worthless. Yet, God didn’t see them as worthless. And by chance (or by God’s divine providence) Zechariah had the chance to light the incense in the temple. In doing so, he was able to have a divine encounter and find out that God had something big planned for his family. God had plans for someone special to be born. 

If a committee wanted to choose a couple to give birth to someone special, they might secure a handful of great candidates. Maybe they would choose someone with kids already, or qu,aity parents who haven't had kids yet. But they certainly wouldn’t choose someone old, or well beyond childbearing years. Yet, that’s exactly who God chooses to give birth to this special child. God uses the ones the world views as useless. 

Reflection

Is there an area in your life where you’ve experienced stigma or shame? Is there any area where it feels you have the least to offer? Is it possible that God could do something special with that?

What would it look like for you to lay down the shame and trust that God still has good things in store for you?

Prayer

God, the One who uses those the world throws away, use me.