Christmas, a Time of Hope – Susan Barnes
“Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old”
(Luke 1:6-7).
In Jewish culture not having children wasn’t just unfortunate, it was a disgrace. We see this when Elizabeth discovers she is pregnant: “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. ‘He has taken away my disgrace of having no children’” (Luke 1:25).
Jewish wives were expected to produce children and if none were forthcoming, it was a valid reason for husbands to get a divorce. Children were important to look after aging parents, to pass on property and continue the family line. If a wife didn’t have children, the family name didn’t continue in the genealogy records. It was like being obliterated. Children were a blessing from God, and childlessness was seen as a curse or a punishment. No wonder Elizabeth was ecstatic to be pregnant. However, her son, John, died young and childless.
The writer to the Hebrews talks about people like Elizabeth, “All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it” (Hebrews 11:13).
Elizabeth didn’t live long enough to see all that God fulfilled through the ministry of her son John the Baptist, and later Jesus. Nevertheless, she saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. She rejoiced in the prophesies she saw fulfilled and died believing what God had promised. What she saw, gave her hope for what she could not see.
Christmas is a time of hope, as we believe for those things we cannot see.
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