Prepare Him Room: Spiritual Readiness and Formation

The Gospel of Luke offers us a unique look into the Christmas story by including a detailed account of the events leading up to the birth of the John the Baptist, the forerunner to Christ. These events in the life of John’s parents – Zechariah and Elizabeth – present some interesting insight that speaks powerfully into the life of the Christian still to this day.

From their devoted dedication to obeying God’s law, to the angelic visitation in the temple, to the eventual birth of the unexpected baby boy who’d they name John, Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s story reveals to the reader a magnificent picture of spiritual preparation and maturation. God used time and unexpected experiences not only to magnify his providential care in the world, but to teach us the importance and value of faithful obedience in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

Maybe this devotion finds you approaching Christmas with hopeful expectation for what is to come. Or maybe you are struggling just to make it through each day as the thought of the future, in light of what happened in the past, only leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.

Wherever you are on that spectrum, we pray this week’s devotion from Luke 1:5-25, 57-80 encourages you and that the story of Luke 1 lifts your heart’s desire to prepare room in your life for greater intimacy with Jesus. In the words of an unsuspecting priest whose life would be forever changed through hopeful expectation, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people…” Luke 1:68. We pray this week and this Christmas season allows you to make the same proclamation in your own life!