“The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength.’”
Hannah’s Prayer, 1 Samuel 2:2 (NRSV)
The Fullness of God
Both Hannah and Zechariah understood the power of God, for God is the Creator of all that is, seen and unseen. It was by God’s omnipotence that both Hannah and Elizabeth found themselves with child. God had done something miraculous that even in that moment was recognized.
Hannah may not have known how important her son would become to the whole arc of Israel’s history, that he would become the last Judge of Israel, that he would be a prophet as well as a priest, hearing the very voice of God, and that he would anoint Israel’s first two kings. And Elizabeth may not have known how wide a following her son would have, how remarkable his ministry would be, nor how turbulent his life would become.
Yet both Hannah and Elizabeth knew their sons were special because God had moved heaven and earth to bring them into being. Hannah’s prophetic oracle would become Mary’s Magnificat, and Zechariah’s prophetic prayer prepared the way for both to inaugurate the One Whom God would bring forth, God’s Own Self in the form of a human being. For the fullness of God is in Jesus, even as a newborn.
Christmas Carol
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Charles Wesley (1739)
“Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Prayer
When we are weak You are strong, Omnipotent Lord, and You are trustworthy to use your power for our good and to Your glory. “Amen—the blessing and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honor and the power and the might (be) to our God into the ages of the ages, amen.” (Revelation 7:12)
“To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Zechariah’s Prophecy, Luke 1:74 (NRSV)
