The Music of Christmas, Day 3

 Song of Silence

 

Read Luke 1:5-25

“I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent ...” – The Angel Gabriel

 

 

As Luke tells the overarching story of God’s salvation and incarnation, he does so through accounts of ordinary people … a young couple, just starting out, full of hope and promise … an old couple nearing the end of their lives, both filled with disappointment. 

Elizabeth and Zechariah, advanced in age, are reminiscent of the Old Testament story of Abraham and Sarah. Zechariah and Elizabeth were unable to bear children, their home still empty after many, many years. So, it’s no wonder that Zechariah was shocked when an angel appeared in the temple to give him news of Elizabeth’s pregnancy … a son they must name John. (Luke 1:11-13) The angel described John’s role as the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Surprise at the angel’s visit was eclipsed by news of the baby.  

Looking for proof, Zechariah asks, “How can I be sure of this?” The answer? What you might expect from a divine messenger of the all-powerful, one true God. “I am Gabriel," he said. “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.” (Luke 1:18-20)

For nine months, Zechariah remained as mute as the child growing in Elizabeth's womb. Only when the cries of his newborn son pierced the quiet was Zechariah’s tongue finally loosed. Those months of silence, a blatant reminder of his unbelief, became evidence of God’s movement.

 
As He never wastes a hurt, God also never wastes the silence. Remember Israel’s 400 years of slavery in Egypt? God broke the silence and delivered His people from bondage through His servant Moses. Consider the years between Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, and Matthew, the first book of the New Testament — four centuries of divine silence. That intertestamental period did not lack purpose or power. As Zechariah’s silence ended, so too was God’s long silence finally over. The WORD was being made flesh.

In the noise and business of Christmas, a "Silent Night" is hard to find. We often celebrate by making as much noise as possible. The music of the holidays plays on repeat. On commercials, in stores, and through car radios, we’re inoculated to the very message the songs contain. The great challenge of the information age is to avoid being overwhelmed with excess information. It is during the process of oversaturation that we lose awareness — of our surroundings, our joy, and even the meaning of Christmas.

In an instant, we can access the latest news from around the globe yet be unaware of the here and now. We miss what's going on in the life of our children or lose track of meaningful moments with a spouse. Noise and information prevent us from recognizing emptiness and pain in our hearts. Too often we use noise to medicate pain, so avoiding silence and refusing to be still can keep us from facing our own brokenness.

 
But silence is a mighty tool in gaining someone’s attention. Teachers wield it. Maybe your mother, like mine, knew exactly how to employ silence for maximum benefit. How do we miss that God, the Creator, has worked through silence to capture the attention of His people? Because He uses it still today. 

 

Are you willing to remain still long enough to hear the Word of God this Advent season? Have you prayed for answers, for God to show up in your life? Perhaps He already has, and you’ve been too distracted to notice. Maybe you’re waiting for something loud and flashy; meanwhile, God is waiting in the stillness. In what ways is your life cluttered with noise and busy-ness?

 
It seems we've forgotten the ancient discipline of silence and solitude. Pray that the LORD will restore the habit of stillness and silent reflection in your life. And like Zechariah, may your silence lead you to a greater faith that God is always at work … even in the silence.

 

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10, NIV84)

 

God of the Silence,

 

I join the chorus of millions who sing Your praise aloud, 

but You, O Lord, are also worthy of my reverent silence.  

You speak and oceans are formed, but Your silence is no less powerful.  

Free me from my addiction to noise. Still my heart in the knowledge that You alone are God and tune my ears to the song of Your silence.  

Amen.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.

Built to Last: A Church That Prevails and a Faith That Endures

October 18 – November 22, 2015
Southside Baptist Church

In his best selling book, Built to Last, Jim Collins describes some common characteristics of our world’s most enduring companies. The characteristics Collins identifies in companies such as Ford, Boeing, 3M, and Johnson & Johnson, include setting “big hairy audacious goals,” stimulating progress while preserving the core, and developing homegrown talent.

Long before Collins attempted to identify the qualities of an enduring business, the apostle Paul described the essentials of an enduring faith and a prevailing church. Writing to Christians in the city of Corinth, Paul said, “I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:10-11).

What does it take to have a faith that can withstand the storms of life? How do we build a church that endures shifting culture, politics and an apparent erosion of biblical values? Paul’s answer is first to make sure to build on the right foundation. Jesus said that “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matt. 7:24). A faith built on any foundation other than the Word of God is doomed, regardless of the quality of the building.

Paul also indicated, however, that the quality of the materials used to build on that foundation matters: “If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work” (1 Cor. 3:12-13). Simply stated, Paul is warning us to choose our building materials carefully.

As finish the 40 Days of Awakening, it is vital that we obey Jesus’ command to “keep watch and pray.” We must commit ourselves to build only on the foundation of God’s Word. We should select and use the best building materials, knowing that the storms are coming, but our foundation is secure. We must follow the “master builders” who have preceded us, continuing to build a Church that provides a shelter for generations to come.

Join me beginning this Sunday for a new sermon series entitled, “Built to Last.” We will look to the Bible for ways to build a Church that prevails and a faith that endures. I will be sharing some exciting plans for the future of Southside as we seek to build a ministry that inspires and equips people to have a faith that is Built to Last.