This sermon was preached at WPC Belconnen’s Sunday morning service on December 12, 2021. This was the first talk in a Christmas series on the birth of Jesus. The Bible passage being expounded is Luke 1:5-25
As Luke’s Gospel begins, it’s a dark and turbulent time for the nation of Israel. The Roman Empire has conquered the world and Roman armies occupy the land of Israel. The Jews have not heard a word from God for 400 years. The last prophet to declare an authoritative word from God was the prophet Malachi. But when an angel announces the births of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus, 400 years of divine silence is ended. This silence is broken by glorious news announced by messengers sent straight from the throne room of God. And the angel declared that God was doing something new and exciting to fulfill the unanswered promises of the Old Testament. The silence was over.