NATIVITY By Mike Herron

Like Elijah, his preaching would affect the conversion of people’s hearts. He would be a forerunner, an advance herald preparing the way for the coming Messiah. His ministry would change the renowned cruelty of fathers in the Roman world and bring ‘a revival of love in the home.’ 5 Repentance would also bring about a ‘sensible wisdom’ to the confused, apostate Jewish nation. 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” Zechariah questions the truthfulness of the announcement itself. He stood at the height of priestly experience in the Old Testament but the law could not produce faith in his heart. ‘The order of nature seemed more certain to him than the order of grace.’ 6 He almost misses one of the great moments in redemption’s history. 19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” Gabriel answers Zechariah’s argument I am too old… with his own declaration; I am Gabriel.‘ The description of himself is a rebuke to the doubt of Zechariahs.’ 7 Gabriel’s name means ‘God’s Strong Man’ and together with the archangel Michael, is one of the only two named angels in the Bible. He appeared to the prophet Daniel with messages about the final days of time and now he is standing in front of a representative priest of the Old Testament with a direct word from God. Gabriel mercifully ‘mutes’ the unbelieving priest; it is better to say nothing than to verbalize doubts about the truthfulness of God’s promises. The message from God and the messenger have