Tag: announcement

when the sky fills with wonder…the angels

Karla Lees

There was another sight to wonder at, besides the star illuminating Jesus had been born….

There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

-Luke 2:8-14

When an angel suddenly shows up in all their wondrous glory, people take notice.

This being the third angelic sighting of the Advent story, I am struck awe with wonder at how much God has already reached out to people to lay the way for His son’s arrival!

The angel captivated his audience that night with the message of Jesus’ birth, and then the full spectacular angelic event ever recorded so far filled the sky.

Wow!

Seeing and hearing an angelic choir, after hearing one speak to you would be mindbogglingly wonder-full, wouldn’t it?!

Imagine being the angels. I am sure there must have been wonder at what God was doing as they praised God with their song.

But just seeing and hearing the good news isn’t where this story ends, it swiftly moves on to ewe….

#AdventuresinAdvent
#theWhenSeries
#JesusisBorn
#LoveCameDown

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John’s birth announcement

Karla Lees

Ever wonder what John’s birth announcement would have looked like? That’s where my mind went last night.

Imagine the birth announcement in the paper….

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photo of Zachariah, infant John & Elizabeth, with godmother Mary

“With each child, the world begins anew!”

With great surprise
& overwhelming joy,
we announce
the safe arrival of
John,
son of Zachariah
& Elizabeth

weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces

born July 24th
in Hill Country, Judea

In lieu of gifts, the family ask for every prayer offerings for the coming Messiah.

And then imagine the local news coverage of the event…

On July 24th, a long awaited miracle took place in our small town. Local priest Zachariah and his elderly wife Elizabeth shockingly gave birth to a healthy young boy after decades of fruitlessness.

In another unexpected twist, bucking tradition, their son
John was not given a traditional family name. Instead, he was named, as an inside source explained, by God as relayed through the angel Zachariah saw in the temple while working. This occurred right before he lost his ability to speak, only a short whole before Elizabeth went missing until well into her pregnancy.

The parents give all the credit to their late in life conception to the Creator, and are deeply moved at His miraculous answer to their dream of having a child.

On John’s naming day August 2nd, amidst all the upheaval over the parents’ choice of name, Zachariah’s speech was restored!

He apparently had way too much wine in celebration, and uttered some strange poetic verses over John once he was able to speak again…

Despite some of the quirks to this story, it is apparent that God has blessed this couple with a late in life bundle they are delighted to have received, and we should keep an eye out for what God may have in store for this special boy.

#AdventuresinAdvent