Christmas Hope

A part of the Christmas story is about Zachariah and Elizabeth. They were an elderly couple—they were, so to speak, already members of the American Association of Retired People (AARP).

Their days passed quietly, Zachariah performing the duties of a Jewish priest.

They were righteous and blameless, but there was one issue that plagued them their entire adult lives.

Elizabeth was unable to have a baby. An angel appeared to him and told him that Elizabeth was going to have a baby. Zachariah had some serious doubts. He asked the angel, "How will I know this for certain? For I’m an old man and my wife is advanced in years. Lord, I think you’ve got the wrong man here."

And in that statement, he questioned God’s ability to do something in his life. (Zachariah didn’t hear his mother when she said, "If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all.") He’d have been better off nodding in silence, because that’s what he got for the next nine months. He couldn’t utter a word.

In effect the angel was saying, "Zachariah, you need to learn from your mistakes." In time the baby arrived safe and sound. Zachariah’s initial reaction hadn’t spoiled God’s plan after all. By this time Zachariah was more than willing to get with the program, even if it meant going against family tradition.

Tradition said in eight days the baby should be taken to the temple, circumcised and given a name. Everyone expected him to name the child Zachariah. But he wrote on the tablet the name "John," which means "a gift from God."

Zachariah was obedient. And with that, his speech instantly returned. For the Lord said to him, "Yes, you’ve blown it, but I’m giving you a second chance."

Friends, God is never done with us, he never puts us on the shelf. He is the God of the second chance. God is on our side. He’s willing to work with us, to coach us and to empower us. It doesn’t matter how long it takes—He’s got all the time in the world.

This story came back to me as our family played Scrabble and I came in last place again. When we moved to California, I was immediately thrust into a fifth-grade class that put an emphasis on spelling.

I was a terrible speller, but at least only the teacher knew. Imagine my terror one day when Mr. Visball announced that instead of the normal Friday spelling test, we were going to have a "spelling bee." He explained the rules. Teams were chosen by captains, who were previous winners. I’m thinking, "I’m awful, I can’t spell and now it’s going to be public."

After the first couple of weeks I could hear from the other side of the room,"Oh man. We’re stuck with Wilson and he can’t spell worth a darn." The moment came: "Mr. Wilson you’re next." I went up and stood by the blackboard. The teacher said, "Mr. Wilson, your word is ‘rummage.’"

My team knew immediately I was in trouble. I’m thinking to myself, "I can do this."

"Rummage. R.u.m.a.g.e. rummage!" It was silent. Theologians call it "eternity."

And then Mr. Visball said, "That’s incorrect, you may sit down."

That’s like the firing squad to a fifth-grader. I was embarrassed, my face turned red, I tucked my chin into my chest and sheepishly went back to my seat. I was hoping to hear a little word of encouragement from my friends. Instead I heard, "You’re so stupid! There are two M’s in rummage. Sit down, moron."

It was a traumatic experience for a new kid in town.

I tell you this today because there’s a happy ending. Like we observed when the Lord dealt with Zachariah, ours is the "God of a Second Chance."

Life is not a spelling Bee. And I, for one, am grateful that God is a God of grace. He’s a God of forgiveness, a God of compassion and a God of love.

That’s the God we serve. I don’t care about my experience with spelling bees. Remember that old verse somewhere in the Bible: "For all have misspelled and fallen short of the glory of God."

The Rev. Jon Wilson lives in Calabasas and is senior pastor of Canoga Park Presbyterian Church in Canoga Park at 22103 Vanowen. Hear him speak on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. or Christmas Eve at 7:30 p.m. or contact him at Jonwclergy@aol.com. Call the church at (818) 883-3510.