Awakened to God

As we begin our Christmas series on the birth narratives in Luke's gospel we hear in one sense, a simple and personal, albeit miraculous, account of an answer to prayer for a child from Zechariah and Elizabeth. Yet, within this familial story is a message for all of God's people to hear - the 'great and awesome day of the Lord' is near!
God's work of judgment and salvation is at hand! After centuries of 'silence' from the prophets, waiting and anticipation, this one to be born and named John, will be filled with the Spirit and will go in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare a people for the Lord, and as we will see in coming weeks, to prepare the way for the Messiah himself.
This is 'good news' for us to hear and believe... news which should awaken us to God and his work in our lives and the nations as it was for those in the days of Zechariah and Elizabeth. May we all be prepared to hear God's word of promise as we share together.