God With Zechariah, The Skeptic
Week 1: God With Us-An Advent Reflection for the Long Run Community
Quick-ish Introduction to Advent
As the days grow shorter and “night-time” arrives earlier, there’s something about this season of waiting that feels deeply familiar to our nature of life, and even faith. This feels especially true for those of us who run, walk, or journey through life, often balancing between exhaustion and perseverance. Advent, as a season of the church, invites us to slow down, to pause, and reflect on the longing that resonates deeply in our hearts.
Advent is the season in the church that encompasses the 4 Sundays before Christmas. It is a time of preparation, as we look towards the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ. This season of preparation is believed to have begun in the 5th Century, and its roots are found as a way to have a season of reflection that leads Christians in spiritual discernment towards Christmas. The season is usually marked with an advent wreath, with 5 candles-3 blue/purple and 1 pink on the outside and a big white one on the inside.
This season mirrors that spiritual marathon we often find ourselves running. It reminds us that faith—much like endurance—can often begin in the dark, and it is in our journey that we learn grow and see the light more. These longer nights make running that much more difficult. I know in my weekly run group, it is pretty much dark when we are running, and we fall back on utilizing headlamps and lightvests. Just as we light the path ahead with headlamps or streetlights, the candles of the Advent season symbolize the light of Christ, illuminating the shadows of doubt and uncertainty.
Seasons like Advent disrupt our complacency, stirring us to recognize God’s active presence in the here and now. Much like in our running, where routine can sometimes sap our joy, our spiritual life can feel mechanical. This season of reflection and intentionality shakes us awake, calling us to reflect on where we might have allowed doubt or disconnection to creep in. Yet Advent assures us that God meets us right where we are—in our weariness, routine, or even skepticism.
This year, as a community of movers and believers, we’ll journey with characters of the nativity story, exploring the main themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy, and love. Today, we begin with hope, diving into the story of Zechariah—a man whose faith wavered in the face of God’s extraordinary promise.
Hope Amid Skepticism
Zechariah’s story begins with longing. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were faithful and righteous but faced years of heartbreak:
“But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years” (Luke 1:7).
Imagine their prayers, their waiting.
I am sure many of us can empathize with this tension—the ache of hoping for something that feels just out of reach. It’s like training for a race that seems too long or too hard, unsure if we’ll ever cross the finish line. The hopefullness and desire for something to happen feeling all but impossible and long-lost.
When the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah while he is performing his preistly duties in the the temple, we get a glimpse of how this tension plays out. We read the news that Zechariah’s prayers have been answered, his response though is skeptical:
“How will I know this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years” (Luke 1:18).
His doubt is so human, isn’t it?
Like Zechariah, we often wrestle with trusting God’s promises when the path ahead feels uncertain.
Even Gabriel’s response may seem harsh—rendering Zechariah silent until the promise is fulfilled—but the more we look at it, we might actually considerd it a gift. Silence creates space for reflection, allowing Zechariah to witness God’s unfolding plan without distraction. It’s like those moments in a long run when the chatter quiets, and you’re left with your breath, your steps, and the presence of something greater.
A Sacred Pause
Zechariah’s silence invites us into the spirit of Advent: a sacred pause where hope can take root. It’s a chance to tune out distractions and reconnect with God’s promises, even when they seem improbable. Like a long run to clear your head. That time to help you be reminded of where God’s presence actually is in your life.
This reminds me of The Polar Express, where belief opens the door to the extraordinary. The children in the story must rediscover their ability to hear the magical chime of a bell. Similarly, Zechariah’s silence helps him move from skepticism to trust. Advent is like that train ride—a journey through darkness toward light, inviting us to rediscover the joy of belief.
Faith in the Waiting
Even in his doubt, Zechariah is shown God’s presence with him. His faith is given space to breath, so that he can continue to meet and encounter the blessings of God. He doesn’t abandon his duties as a priest; he shows up, waiting and trusting. He sees God’s presence continually as he does this work. Then he returns home, and encounters a preganant Eliabeth, who reaffirms his faith through the awaited birth. His actions remind us that faith isn’t always about certainty—it’s about continuing to move forward, step by step.
When his son John is born, Zechariah’s voice returns, and he praises God, singing:
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them” (Luke 1:68).
His story shows us that doubt and hope can coexist. God doesn’t dismiss our questions; instead, God meets us in them, transforming our uncertainty into a deeper trust.
Finding Hope on the Journey
As we begin this Advent season, let’s reflect:
Where are the places in your life where doubt feels heavy?
What promises of God feel distant or delayed?
Like Zechariah, we’re invited to bring our uncertainties to God, trusting that they are not the end of the story. Just as we lean into the rhythms of running or walking, trusting the process, Advent invites us to trust the journey, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
Today, as we light the first candle of hope, let’s remember that even in the waiting, God’s light breaks through the darkness. May we have the courage to trust, the faith to hope, and the assurance that God is working in and through us—even in the silence.