Second Sunday of Advent: The Silent Word

Sermon Summary: This Advent sermon explores the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth from Luke 1, examining how God breaks through periods of silence to offer peace and redemption. The message challenges congregants to move beyond surface-level Christmas preparations and engage in deeper spiritual readiness through repentance, intentional silence, and connection with others. The sermon draws parallels between the "silent period" of 400 years before Christ's coming and our own experiences of feeling distant from God's voice. It emphasizes that true peace comes not through forced compliance (like the Pax Romana) but through righteous living, turning back to God, and opening ourselves to hear God's voice in unexpected places and people. The connection between John the Baptist's ministry of repentance and Christ's coming peace reveals that preparation requires both internal transformation and outward connection with our neighbors.

Key Points:

- The Pax Romana was a violently enforced peace, contrasting with the true peace Christ offers

- Zechariah and Elizabeth were chosen because of their righteousness and blamelessness, not wealth or fame

- Repentance is about turning around and being redirected toward God's will

- Zechariah's forced silence served as preparation, teaching him to listen and observe more deeply

- Periods of silence can help us notice God's presence and activity we might otherwise miss

- God speaks not only in familiar religious settings but through unexpected people and places

- Peace and righteousness are connected to our relationships with others

- True Advent preparation is about receiving Christ anew, not just completing holiday tasks

- Connecting with others and practicing empathy opens us to experience God's peace more fully

Scripture Reference:

- Luke 1:5-25 (The announcement of John the Baptist's birth to Zechariah)

- Luke 1:65-80 (Zechariah's prophecy after John's birth)

- Reference to Malachi (the 400-year "silent period" before the New Testament)

Stories:

- The narrative of Zechariah and Elizabeth, an elderly childless couple chosen to bear John the Baptist

- Zechariah's encounter with the angel Gabriel in the temple while offering incense

- Zechariah's period of muteness from the announcement until John's birth

- Zechariah's prophetic speech upon naming his son John

- The contrast between John's birth narrative (in religious settings with priests) and Jesus' birth narrative (with shepherds and foreigners)

- The historical context of Jews living under Roman occupation during the Pax Romana

- Personal reflection on the anxiety of Christmas preparations versus spiritual readiness