The Tuesday after Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday in Advent
Posted on December 16, 2025 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 1:57-66 (NKJV)
1:57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”
61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Devotion
It was on the eighth day that John would be brought to be circumcised and given his name. Again, it is fitting that it was on the eighth day that the Old Testament people of God entered into their covenant relationship with God. This foreshadows the eighth day of Christ’s resurrection that brings about a new relationship. As Jesus said: “Behold, I make all things new.”
Zacharias’ sudden muteness and recovery of speech are supernatural signs that this was a special moment in history, and his son would be a special servant of God. But it also tells us something about faith in God’s Word. Back in verse 13, the angel announced the gift of a son, and said the boy’s name would be John. In verse 18, Zacharias doubts the word the angel brought him. When he submits in faith to God’s word of promise in verse 63, his speech is restored.
We exert our will through the power of speech, but we only speak rightly when we submit ourselves to God’s will. It is His Word that makes us righteous. It is God’s Word that is the powerful life-force that heals us and makes us whole. When Zacharias expressed his faith, he could once again audibly praise the God who gave him the power of speech.
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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
