Advent Absurdity

The Story of Zechariah is a story of humanity in it's most usual form...myself included. The priest Zechariah (Zacharias) is part of a priestly division who come to the temple once a year for a two week period of time to perform the temple services. He is chosen by lot (straws anyone?) and he enters into the temple's holy place to burn the incense and take care of the candles and bread when suddenly the angel of the Lord appears at the altar. This angel's name is Gabriel which means "man, or person, of El" which was short for Elohim, one of God's names. He meets Zechariah at the altar of incense which was symbolic of the prayers of the people rising up before God's throne. And the angel gives him the news...
Luke 1:13 (NIV)
13 But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

"Zechariah, God has heard your prayers and indeed a son, you'll name him John, will be born to even in your older age. You've been praying for this and God has waited for this time to make it possible. Hallelujah!"

Sometimes in the midst of "waiting" for God we also lose the ability to believe He is listening anymore...and so we stop listening...and waiting. Zechariah is me, and perhaps you...Luke 1:18-20,
18 Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."
19 The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

The word "listen" in Latin is "obedire", which we can probably recognize is the word from which we get "obedience". To listen is the seek to be obedient.

Interestingly, the word for "not listening" in Latin is "surdus". Again a closer look reveals our word "absurd". To live without listening is to live absurdly...vainly...basically going it alone.

Zechariah heard the words, but time had eroded his sense of God might really care and still want to do something. God had been listening...Zechariah had given up listening...he was just religiously performing.

It's the writer of Hebrews that reminds us in Hebrews 11:1&6 (NRSV)
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen...
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

"My prayer this Advent is to listen Lord...your word is full of life, reality, and hope and I want to hear you all over again in the love of your speaking faith, hope and love to me and others."