I think that it goes almost without saying that there are lot of vulnerable people in the world today.

We might think about the undocumented migrants in the US

who are caught up in the waves of ICE incarcerations and deportations.

We might remember that there are over 

one hundred million displaced persons globally 

due to conflicts, and persecution,

Locally, we know that many families must use food banks 

amidst the food inflation crisis, increased housing costs, 

and precarious job situations especially among young and new Canadians.

There are so many vulnerable people today.

We also hear during Advent and Christmas about vulnerable people in the Bible.

We hear about barren women, unwed teenage pregnancies, 

homeless prophets, poor shepherds and 

people on the move with no warm place to spend the night. 

Advent is a season of waiting and expectation

The root of the word “Advent”, means “the coming”

These four weeks, we wait for and anticipate 

the coming of Jesus in the incarnation

and also Christ’s return at the end of time.

At this beginning of the liturgical year

We are watching and preparing for God’s action in the world.

—

Our Gospel reading this morning about Elizabeth and Zechariah 

is actually not in our Lectionary; 

this text would normally never be read on a Sunday morning 

(and perhaps its a good thing as the story is very long). 

But it is very important, the first story chronologically 

in the New Testament, and it’s too bad it’s usually omitted.

The focus on John the Baptist’s birth is in the words of Miguel Escobar 

“a miraculous sign that God’s promises are already breaking into history in new ways.”

The miracle of John the Baptist’s birth signals 

that God is still active in the world to shape and redeem it.

(The story of Elizabeth and Zechariah reminds us 

of similar Old Testament stories

Like of Abraham and Sarah, 

and Hannah and Elkanah,

Barren women, (or rather couples who had difficulty conceiving.)

The women were despised by society,

But God looked at them with with favour and issued

A Promise, beyond human limitations.

God’s promise shouldn’t happen, but it does.

And these faithful women of the Old Testament responded with a yes.)

So we hear this morning of Elizabeth and Zechariah, 

an elderly couple who are described as righteous, 

but have no children.

Zechariah, who by drawing of lots, 

is assigned the most special duty for a priest, 

A once in a lifetime opportunity to serve in the (Holy of Holies) 

to offer incense in the sanctuary of the Jerusalem temple, 

the most Sacred place in the Jewish religion of the time.

And at this key moment in his life, as he’s in the temple, the

Angel Gabriel appears to him, and tells him 

that his prayers have been heard. 

He will have a son, who will be great in the sight of the Lord, 

with the power of Elijah, 

to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Zechariah hears what the angel has to say, 

but he is unsure, he doubts, 

It seems too good to be true. 

So he asks : how can I know that this will happen that I will have a son? 

for I am an old man?

A reasonable request, 

but this seems to annoy the angel who rebukes him 

and renders Zechariah mute. 

Zechariah becomesliterally speechless.

The lesson is “you can’t question an angel” 

The proof will be clear once the baby appears.

Zechariah’s response is hesitant.

His “Yes” to God’s word comes slowly 

after a period of silence and reflection

But when it comes, it bursts forth as a prophetic hymn: 

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

 for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.

—————————————

While Zechariah’s “yes” to God’s word is faltering and takes time, Elizabeth responds differently.

Her “Yes” is immediate and trusting

And she exclaims with joy:

(24)“This is what the Lord has done for me in this time when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured 

among my people”.

Elizabeth’s joyful yes to the promise of a son 

Is shared after she gives birth by her 

(V57) neighbours and relatives who rejoiced with her.

And later, when she visits her cousin Mary, 

her joyful “yes” to Mary’s good news that she too will be a mother, 

causes Elizabeth to be filled with the Holy Spirit 

and so she blesses Mary and her child.

-

Elizabeth and Zechariah both show a range of responses 

to surprising news from God.

Elizabeth is immediate in her response, while 

Zechariah’s gradual “Yes” comes after silence, reflection and struggle.

—

As we gather on these four Sundays of Advent,

And ponder the theme of “the power of Yes”,

We can note thatthere are so many reasons to not say yes.

Even the small yeses in our daily lives feel

riskier somehow. Decisions about where we

put our money, our time, our energy, our confidence, and our faith feel more

important than ever during these volatile times. 

Yet, we come from a history of people who said yes. Throughout the story of the people of God, 

brave and faithful, everyday people said yes to God.

What about our yeses?

What do we say yes to?

Some things are easier to say yes to.

Buy groceries so I can eat? Yes.

Buy Christmas presents for family? Yes.

Pay taxes? …Yes.

But what about God?

When God taps us on the shoulder,

When God Calls us,

How do we respond?

Do we respond like Elizabeth, full of joy and without delay?

Or do we respond like Zechariah, with doubts, 

questions, and time to think.

Or do we just press snooze, and ignore God when God calls?

Or maybe somewhere in between?

God wants to be part of our lives.

God loves us so very much and wants to be in relationship with us.

And God does sometimes reach out to us, directly or indirectly.

Inspired by our forebears in faith, 

and people we hear of in the Bible.

We need to remember the

“Power of yes”

We have salvation, we have eternal life, we have all that we need

Because of the yeses spoken by those who went before us.

—

In this Season of Advent

May we Ponder the power of yes

in our Gospel readings and in our lives,

May we be ready for God to come into our lives 

And when God does,

May we respond

Yes.

*Hymn of the Day 266 “All Earth is Hopeful”

—

Sources:

Rev. Miguel Escobar, Advent to Go 2025 Sermon prompts, Churchanew.org