But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. ... And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." (Luke 1:13-17)

However shocked Zechariah was, at least he was listening well enough to be able to report what the angel said later. And those promises must have been a comfort to John's parents as they waited for his birth, and then during the long years of raising a son. It was a dark time for their country; they were occupied by Rome, and the local leader, King Herod, was dangerous and unpredictable. But in their home they had the promise of God, a child who would make ready the way for God's Messiah—Jesus the Christ.

And we hold tight to God's promises too, no matter what is happening in the world around us. We hold on to Jesus in faith, knowing that everyone who trusts in Him will live forever as part of God's own family. We rest in the knowledge that Jesus has given Himself into death for our sake—and has risen from the dead, never to die again. Because He lives, so will we.

WE PRAY: Lord, when I'm worried, let me rest in You. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* What are you most concerned about right now?

* What strength and comfort do you find in God's promises?

* How does Jesus give you hope for your future?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Today's Bible Readings: Ezra 1-2    1 John 4

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