Scripture: When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Luke 1:59-64

Prayer: Months without speaking a word and Zechariah's first words are those blessing God. May my words be similar when speechless I am puzzled by events surrounding me or those that sometimes ravage the world.

Response: Don't miss that the imposed silence – where he could not talk, perhaps even rattle on with authority – allowed him, even forced Zechariah to become observant, reflective. As a man of God, he had much to chew on – so to speak – in this silence, much to consider. And just think of Elizabeth's wonder what she heard him speak. No doubt it was her turn to be speechless.

So the theme of this verse, or at least one of them, is to be speechless as you commemorate the birth of Christ. Don't try to explain it, justify it, prove it, excuse it, or defend it. Simply, realize and manifest His birth in your life, and share that wonder graciously and softly with family, friends, and also strangers who once might only have measured you by your height, age, and looks.

So what would you have done if someone handed you a tablet upon which to write a message during an imposed silence? Hopefully, it would reflect some deep reflection or prayer, and not indicate some tasks you wanted others to perform.