There is Peace in the unexpected.

Scripture Passage

An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear. But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.
-Luke 1:11‭-‬17

Look, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome Day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
-Malachi 4:5‭-‬6

A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
-Isaiah 40:3 HCSB

Message

I think it would be safe to assume that when Zechariah entered the Temple, he never expected to be visited by the Angel of the Lord. Gabriel, as he is sometimes called, brought the first word from God in nearly 400 years, and he brought it to Zechariah! Zechariah and Elizabeth are going to have a son. John would come with the spirit of Elijah, just as prophesied.

This was definitely unexpected, but would bring Peace with it. Sometimes, God hits you with unexpected news. He sends an unexpected command to you, and wants you to begin preparation. John was to prepare the way for Jesus. Find Peace that He has chosen you for whatever journey He sends you on.

This Advent season could bring unexpected Peace from God if you listen and do well to follow His word.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Send Your word to us so that we may follow it. Send it unexpectedly so that we may know it is from You. Give us the wisdom to listen and trust You. We ask these things in Jesus’ name.

Amen.