December 23 – Luke 1:57-66

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, as we remember his first coming and anticipate his second coming. In the midst of these hard times, we can be reminded that God has a good plan that He put into motion at the moment of His creation and that continues in motion today.

This Advent study uses the SOAP method of Bible study to seek an application for each reading (not sure what this is? Check out the What’s SOAP? tab). We have provided an example SOAP note below today’s reading. Join in this study by completing the daily readings and journaling using SOAP, and you are welcome to use the Comments section at the bottom of our homepage to share or ask questions.

Reading: Luke 1:57-66 57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” 62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

SOAP Note

Rejoice | Rebecca Hoyt

Scripture

Luke 1:58

Observation

My bible notes that after John was born, Elizabeth’s relatives would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. But Elizabeth protested, claiming that his name was to be John. When her relatives asked her husband Zacharias about it, he quickly agreed with his wife. At that moment, Zacharias’ tongue was loosed and he gave praise to God.

Application

Elizabeth was so happy to have a baby, her neighbors and relatives rejoiced with her. Then Zacharias could talk again and everyone rejoiced thanking God. Today I’m celebrating the 18th birthday of my child, as with every birthday of my kids I’m rejoicing today with them and thanking God for them.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You that I get to rejoice in Your Son being born and my child being born today. And the excitement of being able to see the “Christmas star” Monday night. Amen

The Discover One Thing main website has more resources on the SOAP method of Bible study. Click HERE to go to the website.