Christmas Characters: Zechariah

The Christmas story is so well-known that we sometimes overlook the wonder surrounding the event. Surely nothing could surpass the beauty and majesty, the awe and fulfillment, of the Christ child’s birth in a stable. It’s beyond our understanding how God’s Son could leave heaven, come to earth as an infant, and dwell among us.

Jesus Christ is the central character of human history. As someone has said, “History is really His Story.” Although the baby Jesus is the main character of the Nativity, there were others who played supporting roles. Zechariah and Elizabeth were critical characters in the unfolding events. Certainly Joseph and Mary were pivotal figures in the birth of Jesus. It’s impossible to tell the story without considering the involvement of the shepherds and wise men. There are even two individuals, Simeon and Anna, who made an important appearance eight days after Jesus was born.

These eight characters deserve a second look so we fully understand their key roles in the Christmas Story. Their life stories were part of God’s Larger Story – and your life story is, too. As we examine each of the eight characters, we’ll focus on how God was orchestrating the events to fulfill His Larger Story of the birth of Jesus.

First, God made sure that Zechariah was chosen to burn incense in the temple. At that time there were about 20,000 priests in the country who were divided into 24 divisions of roughly 1,000 each. Every division had “temple duty” twice a year. As the events unfolded it “just so happens” that Zechariah’s division was on duty. Only one priest per day was chosen by lot for the great honor of burning incense in the temple. On that day the lot “just happened to” fall to Zechariah for this once-in-a lifetime opportunity. It’s not too hard to see God’s hand behind Zechariah’s selection.

Second, God answered Zechariah’s prayer for a child. While Zechariah is inside the temple an angel appeared by the altar to announce that Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth would have a child. He specificially told Zechariah that the child’s name would be John. Although Zechariah didn’t know it, we know the child is John the Baptist who the Old Testament foretells will “prepare the way of the Lord.” Zechariah’s heart’s desire for a child aligned with God’s Larger Story of sending a God-ordained messenger before the Messiah.

Finally, God used Zechariah’s unbelief to confirm that the child’s name was John. After the angel’s announcement Zechariah had a hard time believing it. After all, he and Elizabeth were beyond the child-bearing years. So he questioned the validity of the message. Oops! As a result of his unbelief, Zechariah couldn’t speak for 8 days. At the child’s circumcision they were going to name the child Zechariah after his father. Although Elizabeth couldn’t have known what the angel had told her husband, she spoke up and said, “No. His name is to be called John.” This violated tradition as no one in the family held that name. Using a writing table, Zechariah confirmed that the child was to be called John. Of course, these events also were part of God’s Larger Story.

Sometimes you may think that your life is insignificant when compared to other Christians. At such times remember this truth. Your life is unfolding just as God has planned. Moreover, the story of your life in some way is furthering the unfolding of God’s Larger story – even if you can’t see it now.

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