The Monday after Gaudete Sunday, The Third Sunday in Advent
Posted on December 16, 2024 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 1:1-15 (NKJV)
1:1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.”
Devotion
The first four verses present the purpose of the Gospel according to Saint Luke: education and assurance of the veracity of the teachings of Christianity that the recipient (Theophilus) has received thus far. The rest of our appointed meditation deals with the angelic prophecy of Gabriel about John the Baptizer’s conception, birth, and purpose. This section reflects Luke’s mastery of the Greek language, as well as his attention to social realities which will continue throughout the entire book.
The latter part of our text focuses on the priest named Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth as regards their righteous nature and lack of children due to Elizabeth being barren. The author focuses on the proclamation and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy related to Jesus and John, and both of their earthly ministries. Luke acknowledges that he was not one of the original twelve apostles. However, he powerfully defends his close association with those who were, as well as his own faithfulness in the earliest days of the New Testament ministry of Jesus Christ.
The third Gospel presents the works and teachings of Jesus that are important for understanding the way of salvation. Its scope is complete, starting with the birth of Christ, which is ushered in by the birth of His divinely appointed prophet, John the Baptizer.
Collect: Lord, we beseech Thee, give ear to our prayers, and lighten the darkness of our hearts, by Thy gracious visitation; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Advent
Stir up, we beseech Thee, Thy power, O Lord, and come, that by Thy protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins, and saved by Thy mighty deliverance; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
