TUESDAY December 20, 2022

News Travels Fast

Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 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.
Luke 1:65-66

Godly awe and wonder fell among those living near Zacharias and Elizabeth. Now after the child was given the unexpected name of John by his father, Zacharias miraculously began to speak again. As the people discussed these unusual events, news began to spread throughout all the hill country of Judea. News travels fast!

People were told of Zacharias who had seen a vision while serving in the Temple. He came out to those praying and waiting, unable to speak. Later, a child was born to Zacharias and Elizabeth in their old age. What did these extraordinary happenings mean?

Those who had heard and discussed among themselves what had transpired knew God was doing something––He was moving. Clearly the people were aware that God was doing something miraculous, even though they could not understand the full picture of His plan. So for the time being, they kept what was shared with them in their hearts. Yet they were left with a searching question in their minds, “What kind of child will this be?”

God’s hand was upon John. He would become known as John the Baptist––“ ‘the voice of one crying in the wilderness: “make straight the way of the LORD” ’ ” (John 1:23). He would prepare the way for Christ to come upon the scene. When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, John bore witness to Christ, saying: “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him…. And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God” (John 1:32, 34).

Christmas is a beautiful time to reflect, discuss and share all the miraculous events surrounding the birth Christ––the Son of God. Have you kept these truthful treasures in your heart?

If Christmas is just a nice legend, in a sense you are on your own. But if Christmas is true, then you can be saved by grace.
~Timothy Keller~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!