We opened our Bible Study with a discussion of what it feels like to hear that a long-standing prayer has been answered, but the result has not yet been seen. Perhaps it’s hearing a teacher tell the class that “everyone passed the course,” but not yet seeing the grade. Perhaps it’s hearing word that mother and baby are fine following a difficult pregnancy and birth, but not yet seeing the mom and child. In our discussion, a few recalled hearing that WWII was over, but still having to wait for loved ones to return home. In each of these instances, there is a relief that comes with this herald, this advent, of peace.

The Gospel of Luke opens with the story of Zacharias (“Yahweh has remembered”) and Elizabeth (“God has sworn to protect us”). They were a godly couple who had served the Lord faithfully all their long lives, and yet they were without child. Poor Elizabeth had to bear the social shame of this sad circumstance. We reflected upon how wearisome it can become to do all the right things, and yet never see our prayer answered. Some fall away from the faith. Others take the approach of Jesus’ disciples (John 6:68): “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Zacharias and Elizabeth didn’t wallow or look back - they kept going forward in hope and trust. One day, when Zacharias was chosen by lot for the once-in-a-lifetime privilege of burning incense in the temple of the Lord, the angel Gabriel (“God is my hero”) appeared and announced to Zacharias that he and Elizabeth would have a son, that they would call him John and that John would be the forerunner of Christ. One of the real blessings in these verses is Gabriel’s affirmation: “Your petition has been heard.”

We all have long-standing hopes and prayers. Sometimes they’ve been on our heart so long we weary of offering them again. In this story, we take note that God hears our petitions. We do not know when or how they will be answered. We may even face years of sadness, much like Elizabeth, as she carried the social shame of her childless life. Through it all, though, we should be as Christ’s disciples, knowing that God is the one who can bring us true Word. We also know that when He offers His true Word to us, we can receive a spiritual peace, flavored with relief. It can be our advent of peace.