Advent December 16, 2006

Zechariah's Song of Prophecy and Praise

Light: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

Reflection: My speech therapist ordered me to go on vocal rest for a month from December 10 through January 7. "Impossible!" I told her. "I have to direct four Christmas pageants this week, and I'm going home for the holidays to catch up with friends and family!" She responded by writing me a list: no talking, no coughing, no laughing. She might as well have put me in a dark room with white noise. For me, the holidays were over.

That Christmas I held a sign in front of me: ZECHARIAH. It always got a laugh. But during that December, I began to understand his pain. Communication was slow and clunky with hand motions and hastily scribbled notes. And when I would talk with my hands or silently mouth my words, my friends would imitate me, forgetting they could talk.

My husband became the interpreter, and I became the listener, a frustrating identity change. I never realized how much I used my voice until I tried to direct a show, corral my kids, or greet friends at a Christmas gathering. Although my damaged vocal cords still worked, each day of silence meant healing and a day closer to being able to sing God's praises with a reliable voice.
Zechariah had it a lot worse. He couldn't talk for nine months, which must have reduced his capacity to serve as a priest. He must have been frustrated. I wonder what his silence taught him.

My husband considered my prescribed silence a gift. No, it is not because I talk too much! His reasons for thinking this way became clear to me as well. The inability to speak made me a better, more sensitive listener. Quiet people were suddenly comfortable around a less outgoing me. In addition to listening, I really heard what people said. Speaking through writing or motions, I discovered I had a curious and captive audience. In conversation, less was more!

This is a season to listen. We hear brass music and Christmas carols; we listen to bells ringing, and we cherish the sound of children's laughter. We also need to listen to God, friends, husband, and children. Try asking questions and waiting long enough for your loved ones to expand their answers. Don't join in every discussion or song. Instead meditate on what you hear. The sounds of the season are a gift, opened with your ears. Are you quiet enough to hear God singing over you? Listen and learn what the Lord of Love has to say to you today.

Response: Divine Composer, open my ears that I may hear Your music all around me. Thank You for singing and exulting over me with shouts of joy. Quiet my lips so I listen more than speak. Help me hear Your voice and understand Your words.