Second Sunday of Advent – Luke 1:68-79

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for God has looked favorably on God’s people and redeemed them.” (Luke 1:68 NRSV)

I love the canticle of Zechariah! The father of John the Baptist had once again found his voice after having been silenced by doubt. The first thing that comes from his mouth at the birth of his son is a song of praise to God who was faithful, after all, in spite of Zechariah’s questions.

It’s easy to say we live in troubling, unsettling times. Some say it’s the worst of times – all signaling the “end of the world”. But really, is it any worse than it has ever been? Haven’t people been saying something like that since people began? And now we have world news in an instant so it seems as though there is more to worry about. Then Demon Doubt seeps in and really messes with us, silencing our faith, silencing our hope.

There will always be troubling times, some of it world news and some of it up close and personal. But doesn’t scripture show us repeated examples of God’s faithfulness even in times of despair and doubt? And hasn’t your own life shown you repeated instances of God’s love and faithfulness to you?

Holy One, help us rise up and sing a song of praise such as Zechariah’s:  ‘By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us!’

– The Rev. Fay Ann Blaylock, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Falls City, and Zion United Church of Christ, Rulo