He was planning on moving out of downtown London to suburbia in a small town just outside the city. I was a little skeptical. Like I said, I am a similar age but I am a grandpa. Just thinking of the energy needed to raise children at my age, I get exhausted. Grandkids, you can get them all fired up, then give them back to their parents and go have a nap. Date: December 5-6, 2020 Speaker: Paul McIlwraith – Teaching Pastor Carolyn and I did the pre-marriage counselling with Scripture: The Songs of Christmas - Zechariah Rob and Amanda and saw just how much they loved each other and were together in this. I officiated at their wedding in 2019 and a short while I met Rob around five years ago. Pre-COVID days, later their son, Samuel was born. I can say that I he attends our Saturday night service. He began to have never seen Rob happier and more content. He write me notes just sharing some things he was is a wonderful father to little Sam. learning from the sermons and that led to us going out to dinner and getting to know each other a bit I took a moment to ask him about it. Have a look at better. Rob is a few years older than me but in much the video. better shape. Did you noticed for Rob, the only hesitancy in Through the course of the conversation, I found he having a child this late in his life was, societal was a big hockey fan and has a very successful norms. As I continued that conversation with him career in the financial services sector. I also found off camera, he is just full of praise to God and His out that although Rob had been in a few serious timing in his life. That he brought Amanda and her relationships, he had never married and never had family to him at just the right time. He believes that children. Sam was born at just the right time in his life. He doesn’t know whether he would have loved him in Over the next few years, a friendship was the same way if he was in his twenties or thirties. established with Carolyn and I and Rob. He would He said to me, “Paul, God is in control”. come over for dinner. We sought his advice in financial matters. Then in 2018, after a Saturday Last week, we launched our Christmas message night service, he introduced us to a woman that he series at North Park entitled, The Songs of had brought along. Christmas. Music is such a huge part of the Christmas season. We all have our favourites and Which was nice and we were happy for him. She some, as we discovered last week with Joy To the seemed like a great match for him. A few months World, have a rich history and go back almost 300 after that, Rob reached out to me and shared that he years. and Amanda were getting serious and not only were they talking about marriage, but also about having a We have some songs of Christmas that go back child. I should point out that Amanda is even further than that, almost 2000 years to the time significantly younger. of Jesus’ birth. I have to admit, as happy as I was for him, I thought In this series, we are looking at four of those songs, at 58 years of age, he is going from being a bachelor their significance at the time, and what they mean to never having kids, used to his own independence, us today. Last week, we unpacked Mary’s Song and living in a condo in downtown London, to getting today, we come to Zechariah’s song. married. Amanda had three children from a Zechariah’s story has some similarities to my previous marriage, so he would have three step- friend, Rob. children, and then a baby.

Let me explain. school I really liked and teaching the subjects I enjoyed. Zechariah was a temple priest during the time of Jesus’s birth. It was a respectable job but not the Carolyn and I were looking into opportunities to do most important in terms of levels of priests in this a teaching exchange to Australia with our young day. Kind of like Matt Eckert is the Executive Lead family. Things were good. That is when I began to Pastor at North Park and the rest of us pastors, we experience the prompting of God to leave my just sort of fall in behind. That was Zechariah. beloved career and move into full-time vocational ministry. I fought it. I didn’t want to leave the He had a reputation of being a very kind and holy certain and comfortable and go into the unknown. man but a bit of a “country hick” as he came from a As you can see, I didn’t win the fight. God did. He small village on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Probably had a different plan for my life. the way us Londoners feel about those who come from places such as Strathroy or St. Thomas. For Zechariah, he was a mid level priest in the Zechariah was married to Elizabeth, a relative of temple, one of about 18000 priests. He served in the Mary, who would be the mother of Jesus. temple for two, one week periods every year. The rest of the time involved duties away from the main Both Zechariah and Elizabeth would have been over building. A priest on Zechariah’s level only had the the age of 60 when this story takes place and there chance to enter into the inner sanctuary of the was something that distinguished their relationship. temple once in their lifetime, if their name was They did not have any children. This would have chosen by lot. been unusual in this day because, you know, societal norms. This was Zechariah’s lucky day. He is chosen to go into the sacred part of the temple to pour incense on In this culture, not having children was a big social the altar. This was a holy moment and that is when problem and for Zechariah, a priest, to not have an angel of the Lord appears to him. An angel had children was seen as a neglect of his priestly duties. never appeared to someone in that part of the temple Not having children for Elizabeth was a source of before. It was Gabriel, the same angel that had shame. For some of you who are listening who have visited Mary. been in this situation, you know that desperately wanting children but being unable to conceive is What is Zechariah’s reaction? Look at it in Luke heart wrenching. 1:12. “Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him”. Although it was difficult and it was a loss for Zechariah and Elizabeth the fact is that sometimes Do you think? He is in the bowels of the temple, even righteous people have disappointments in life. alone. Carrying out this sacred act of worship to But, like my friend Rob, they trusted that God was God. He is “in the moment” fully focused and in control. He knows best. His timing is always concentrating. This a once in a career opportunity. perfect. He wants to get it right. Just me and God. That is when an angel shows up and says, “Hey dude”. It is interesting that God picks one of the most important moments in Zechariah’s career to make I have been startled like that. There have been times his divine move. Just think of those times when you in here during our services when we would be have felt God’s presence and direction in your life. singing a song and I would just be in the moment, When did it occur? Was it during a high, a good my eyes closed. time, when things were going so well? I would be focused on the song, getting myself In the spring of 1997, I was at a high point in my ready to come up here to preach and Matt will come teaching career. I was in my tenth year of teaching up beside me and grab my elbow because he had to which meant that once the school year ended, I get the mic that was beside me to do Family Life. I would be at the top of the pay grade. I was in a would jump out of my skin, startled because I just

wasn’t expecting it. That is Zechariah in this have doubts about God’s promises. Do you ever moment and the angel senses it. doubt God’s promises? Gabriel says to him, Luke 1:13, “Don’t be afraid, We are living in a time when it might be easy to Zechariah”! doubt God’s promises to us in his word. That: It is okay, man. I am here with good news. Relax. • He will never leave us or forsake us Then look what he tells Zechariah. Luke 1:13-17, • He will make everything work together for good for those that love Him “God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him • we can lay our worries and our pain at the John. You will have great joy and gladness, and foot of the cross and He will carry it for us many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in • He will comfort us in the midst of our the eyes of the Lord….And he will turn many despair Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man The COVID pandemic has battered us for 8 months. with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare People have lost loved ones and livelihoods. the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn Significant life events have come and gone with the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he little fanfare. Church services have been taken away will cause those who are rebellious to accept the from us. Now Christmas is upon us and we are told wisdom of the godly.” not to gather with family and friends. Zechariah, you and your wife, although both in your We are all sick and tired of COVID. Amen? It is sixties and Elizabeth well past child bearing years reeking havoc on our physical, emotion, spiritual are going to have a son. You will name him John, and mental health. Where is God in the midst of it even though no one in your family has that name. all. Does he still keep his promises? He will be on the level of Elijah who was one of the greatest prophets in their history. He will prepare He does. That is the essence of what the angel tells the people for the coming of the Lord, the long Zechariah when he doubts. In effect he is saying, awaited Messiah of the people. Zechariah, your son “You’ll see. In the meantime, you’re going to have will prepare the way for Jesus. to be still and know that he is God”. The angel says to Zechariah, How would you respond if you were in Zechariah’s “ shoes? An angel showing up at your workplace Luke 1:20, But now, since you didn’t believe what when you are in the midst of a pretty important task I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until and telling you, “Hey good news. You and your wife the child is born. For my words will certainly be will have a child even though you are old and never fulfilled at the proper time.” had children before. This child will be the primary A shroud of silence is given until God does what he cheerleader and supporter of the greatest man who says he will do. Zechariah becomes temporarily ever lived. Your son will be loved and respected by mute until this promised baby makes its appearance. all”. You would have some questions wouldn’t you? Sure enough, Elizabeth becomes pregnant and Zechariah doesn’t utter a word for nine months, all Naturally Zechariah has questions. Still getting over the while watching and observing God at work in the shock of the news, he says to the angel, their midst. He discovers that God keeps his “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old promises. man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” Sometimes the answers to our disappointments in Luke 1:18. life are not clear. Whether that is the death of a It is a harmless question. One that all of us would loved one suddenly and unexpectantly or a loss of a have asked, right? Sometimes even good people job or financial collapse or a relationship strain or

health concern. Sometimes the hard times have no and dialogue because we want to make sure our explanation. voices are heard and mark our place in history. God never guarantees that life will come without Cain contends that many introverts have had a pain or disappointment. The bigger question is how significant impact on our world by leading with we handle it. Bitterness leads to anger and their ears and eyes and not their mouths. Among frustration and it zaps the joy from our life but trust them, Eleanor Roosevelt, Al Gore, Warren Buffet, and dependence causes us to find fulfillment in Ghandi and Rosa Parks. ways we couldn’t image. To go quiet may be a stretch for many of you but I My friend Rob had a few serious relationships when would challenge you to make it a part of your daily he was a younger man. Some perhaps could have life. To be still and quiet and observe the world led to marriage but for whatever reason things just around you and you may just become aware of didn’t work out. Yet, he trusted that God was in God’s activity in a whole new way. control. God has a plan for his life and today he has Jump ahead several verses in Luke 1 and we see discovered that God’s timing is perfect. that the time has come for Elizabeth to give birth. In For Zechariah and Elizabeth this long term void in Luke 1:57, it says their life was filled when God stepped in, late in the “When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, game to reverse the direction of their past she gave birth to a son.” disappointments. The celebrations begin. A sixty-year-old has given

birth. That news would have made all the papers. The unlikely event of Zechariah being chosen to Then its time for the circumcision and the naming perform a sacred duty in the temple was actually of the child. Now tradition in this day dictated that designed to set the stage for a fresh movement of the boy should receive a family name so many of God in this couple’s life and in the life of the nation the relatives thought that the little guy would be of Israel as well. named Zechariah after his dad. But Elizabeth names him John, sending surprised shock waves through He would provide a child for this faithful couple the gathered crowd. and that child would not only bless them but also prepare the way for the salvation and redemption of So they turn to the still muted Zechariah. “What’s all humanity. the baby’s name?” He motions for a writing tablet where he writes the name that the angel had given God keeps his promises but sometimes we just need him. “John, he will be called, John.” to be still. We just need to stop talking, stop the noise in our lives and know that he is God. In that instance, Zechariah could speak again and what does he do? What would you do? If you could That is why Zechariah was muted. It was not so not speak for nine months, what would be the first much a punishment as a gift. To take time to words out of your mouth? Have you ever had observe the work of God in his midst. laryngitis? Once your voice returned, what do you I have been reading a book these days entitled, say? Finally? I love you? Thank you? I am sorry? “Quiet. The Power of Introverts in a World that For Zechariah it was, “Praise God”. Luke 1:64 Can’t Stop Talking”. It is written by Susan Cain. says, “He began praising God”. The long silence Cain defines introverts in general terms as those had allowed him to reflect on what God had called people who prefer to observe and think more than him to do and now, he was prepared to do it. talk. In our Western society we are very pro- extrovert. We encourage people to talk. We build Which leads to Zechariah’s Song. schools and work places that promote interaction Just as Mary’s Song that we talked about last week is also known as The Magnificat because in the first

line she is praising and magnifying God, Zechariah’s song is known as the Benedictus. It gets I think sometimes we overlook the fact that the its name from the first words in Latin of this Song. people of the first century world in which Jesus and Luke 1:68, “Praise, (or blessed be) the Lord, the John the Baptist were born into had some real God of Israel, struggles. They were real people like you and me. There was racial unrest between the different ethnic Blessed be the Lord.” groups of the day, the Romans, Jews, Samaritans His song goes on to anticipate and praise God for and others. the lives of the two children whom divine destiny There were religious differences. People doubted has brought together. Though John is Zechariah’s God and his promises or they worshipped other son, the main focus of his song is actually on the gods. There was economic instability and clashes of person to whom John’s life will point. The person the class. In fact, there was really no middle class. he will prepare the people for. Most of the song is You were either rich or poor so image how much about Jesus, the long awaited Messiah who will tension that created in that society. There were rescue and bless those who turn to him. diseases and pandemics that ran amok. There were The main theme of this song is actually captured in leaders they were corrupt and power hungry and Luke 1:68-70, disliked. Does any of this sound familiar? “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, The people were longing for a better day and I think because he has visited and redeemed his people. we can share in their spiritual tension, “how long 69 He has sent us a mighty Savior Lord, how long do we have to wait?” and that is from the royal line of his servant David, why Zechariah’s song is so hope filled. He is 70 just as he promised addressing God with a new found maturity that through his holy prophets long ago.” comes from being still. God is a promise keeper, Zechariah sings. He is He was forced to stop talking and observe God’s doing exactly what he said he will do through the work in the world and he discovered that the wait is prophets long ago. He is sending a Saviour for the over. God is sending His son to rescue and to save people through the line of David. humanity and John, Zechariah’s son, is the one who would prepare the way. Zechariah is bringing to mind the familiar words of the prophet Isaiah, that we often cite at Christmas. Once again, I challenge you, how often do we do Centuries before Zechariah, Isaiah wrote this, that? To stop all he activity, all the busyness, all the noise and simply remember that despite all the “For a child is born to us, tension around us, especially with this pandemic, a son is given to us. God is with us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: But COVID is tearing us apart, isn’t it? Not only are Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, people getting sick and in some cases dying, but it is Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. also tearing work places apart. 7 His government and its peace Wear a mask, don’t wear a mask. Follow the will never end. protocol don’t follow the protocol. It is tearing He will rule with fairness and justice from the marriages apart. It is tearing families apart with throne of his ancestor David different opinions about how to gather. It is tearing for all eternity. churches apart. When do we open, what programs The passionate commitment of the LORD of do we offer? Everyone has an opinion and I have Heaven’s Armies heard a few of them. will make this happen!” Isaiah 9:6-7

It is at times like these that we need to be reminded Oh there were blips along the way for sure but now that the Saviour has come. Jesus is with us. as young adults, all of them follow Jesus and two of Emmanuel. In Ephesians 2:14, it says, them are teachers and two are in health care. They have loving partners and my daughter is a “For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He wonderful mom to our grandchildren. united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall My father’s heart is bursting with love when I think of hostility that separated us.” of them and God’s provision in their lives and for Carolyn and I as their parents. Love, our advent theme today, has broken through with the coming of Jesus and when we surrender So, I can well image that Zechariah’s heart is our lives to him, really surrender our lives to him, exploding with love for his son as he sings, we can live in love and peace even in our Luke 1:76-79 differences. Did you know that it is okay to have “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of differences? As Christians, we can disagree but we the Most High, need to respect each other’s perspectives and because you will prepare the way for the Lord. opinions. The problem is that we have stopped You will tell his people how to find salvation listening to one another. We have stopped believing through forgiveness of their sins. that God is in control and just kept on talking. Because of God’s tender mercy, Zechariah reminds us in the first part of the song, the morning light from heaven is about to break “The Saviour has come. God keeps his promises”. upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the In the second part of the song, Zechariah’s focus shadow of death, shifts. He gets a little personal. Did you hear my and to guide us to the path of peace.” friend Rob’s voice on the video when he began to talk about his boy and what his birth has meant to Zechariah is overflowing with love and pride but his life? His love for him exudes. did you catch it? His son John’s whole life purpose was to point to someone else. We all believe our Picture Zechariah holding his newborn son as he kids are special, don’t we? If you don’t believe me, shares these words, Luke 1:76 just stand in a hockey arena some Saturday morning “And you, my little son” and watch the little ones play. From the comments Sixty years of dreaming and praying for this of their parents watching, they all believe their child moment to come and now holding this little miracle is the next Connor McDavid, Wayne Gretzky or in his arms and knowing the plans that God has for Haley Wickenhauser! him. It almost causes me to weep. If you are a Zechariah knew that God’s call on his son’s life parent, you can probably relate to this. would mean that he was #2, not #1. John’s mission From the time that our children were babies, was to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus. Carolyn and I had two specific prayers for them. To Elizabeth and Zechariah, they knew that their Prayer number 1 was that they would follow Jesus. son, as cherished and as special as he was to them, Prayer number 2 was that they would use their God he was not really the point. His whole life was about given gifts to make a positive difference in the pointing to someone else. world. In this moment, John is only eight days old but his Note, I wasn’t praying that they were doctors or father clearly sees the role God has called him to scientists or the prime minister. Just that whatever fulfill. It is such an amazing thing to discover our they did with their life, that they would do it to the place in God’s plan and purpose for our life, isn’t it? best of their ability and to make the world a little Some of you know just how that feels no matter better place.

whether your role is up front and public or behind I hear you. I have battled it myself but let me just the scenes, God has a call on your life. say from experience that the sacrifice you make to try and weave even just five or ten minutes of John was the one whom God chose to prepare the solitude each day will be worth it for your mental, way for Jesus. The one to inform the people that emotional and spiritual health. You will begin to God keeps his promises. Zechariah saw that plainly notice God’s unique presence and direction in so and that is why he included his infant son in his many ways around you. song of praise, his benedictus to the Lord. Which will lead to takeaway #3. When we are more Today, we find ourselves less than three weeks until aware of God in our lives, we can’t help but live to Christmas Day, 2020. The Christmas music is praise God. blaring out all around us. So what are our takeaways from Zechariah’s life and song? Can I 3. Live to praise God and point to Jesus suggest three? Zechariah was a religious guy. He was a priest. But The first takeaway is to: God used this situation later in life to grow his faith even more. This caused him to sing out in joy, 1. Understand that God Keeps His Promises thanking God for sending Jesus for the salvation of and His timing is perfect the world and praising God for his son, John who Even when the conventional wisdom of our world would be a sign pointing people to Jesus. says it doesn’t make sense. That was true in my The fact is, that as Christians in our world today, we friend Rob’s life becoming a father at 58 and we are all to be John the Baptists. Our lives are to be a found it true in the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. sign that points our world towards Jesus. The way Not only does God answer their prayer for a child that our family and friends see Jesus in us through despite the fact that they were older, this child, our faith, obedience, joy, kindness and love and the John, was a double blessing as he will prepare the way that they see us praise him and trust him way for the long awaited Messiah, who God everyday no matter the circumstances, that we have promised would save the people. an impact on them. Do you find yourself in a situation today where you They will want to know where we get our hope are waiting on God and wondering if he has even in trying times and we can point to Jesus. forgotten you? Zechariah’s Song should offer you hope that God keeps his promises but we have to be These are the three takeaways from Zechariah’s aware that he works in ways and times that we may song: least be expecting. Which leads to takeaway #2. 1. Understand that God keeps his promises and The challenge is that we need to: His timing is perfect. 2. Live quieter to observe the work of God 2. Live quieter and observe more around us We need to spend less time talking and more time 3. Live to praise God and to point to Jesus observing God’s work and presence in our lives and May we be encouraged by Zechariah’s song in the in the world. days ahead as we seek with the Spirit’s help, to see For Zechariah, it was forced on him because of his how we grow in each of these areas in our lives and doubt but it ended up being a gift. Where do you may you see, that God’s desire is to write a song of build time in your daily routine to shut everything faith in our life. Amen. Amen. off, unplug and just be still? Time to wait on the Lord. Some of you are in seasons of life where that may not seem possible. You have young ones at home. The schedule is hectic. There just seems like there is not enough time in the day.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel Prayer and Action Item Reread Zechariah’s Song together as a group. Pray O come, O come, Emmanuel for one another out of the key points that were And ransom captive Israel discussed. How will you pursue the three takeaways That mourns in lonely exile here of Zechariah’s Song this week? Until the Son of God appear 1. Understand that God keeps his promises and his

timing is perfect Points to Ponder 2. Live quieter and observe more 3. Live to praise God and point to Jesus The Songs of Christmas A Song of Faith- Zechariah Luke 1:67-79 December 6, 2020 Advent theme: Love With a friend, your family or in your small group, discuss the following questions. 1. Can you think of a situation in your life where you surrendered control to God but you have not seen much progress? Describe the circumstance and the areas where doubt sets in and hampers your trust in God. 2. Where have you noticed God at work in your life in the good times or in the more difficult? Share an example and what God taught you through that experience. 3. Do you set time aside on a regular basis to stop talking, unplug and reflect on the work of God in your life? If so, share some meaningful learnings from that experience. If not, what is it that gets in the way of making this quiet time a regular practice for you? 4. Have you ever been person #2? You knew that everything that you did was for the benefit of person #1. How difficult is it to play “second fiddle” to someone? What were some of the learnings for you through that experience? 5. How would a demonstration of the love of Jesus in our lives, help in a world that is being divided because of Covid? Where have you seen this kind of love unite two people who have such differing perspectives?