Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent - Paperback

by Enuma Okoro (Author)

Usually when we think of the Advent story, Mary, Joseph, and the angel Gabriel come to mind. Okoro approaches Advent a little differently, inviting us to sit for a while with Zechariah and Elizabeth and the story of how they came to bear their only son, John.

"The Advent story we so often associate with the joy of Christmas actually begins with deep sorrow and longing. But thankfully, in the kingdom of God, there is always more to the story than meets the eye," Enuma Okoro writes.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were good people. They had maintained faith and hope in God for many years, despite Elizabeth's inability to conceive, a condition considered shameful in their time. So they were quite familiar with the universal human experiences of longing and waiting. Even though this couple's story takes up only one chapter in Luke's Gospel, it contains enough lessons about faith and life to last for weeks.

In her beautifully written, imaginative meditations for each day of Advent, Okoro looks closely at the doubts and longings of Zechariah and Elizabeth. As you explore their story, Okoro guides you to reflect on your own experiences of waiting and longing, of grief and the need for community, and of hungering for God.

These poetic and poignant meditations will linger with you long after Christmas. Reflection questions and a prayer challenge accompany each week's meditations. A perfect book for individual or group study.

Front Jacket

Sit for a while with Zechariah and Elizabeth. Feel their longings and doubts, and then witness their surprise as an angel tells Zechariah that they will finally become parents in their old age. See what happens when Zechariah dares to question God's messenger. What blessings emerge from his time of silence? In this imaginative approach to the Advent story, Okoro leads you to reflect on the meaning of waiting, living with the unknown, and trusting God.

Back Jacket

Okoro invites readers to pause during Advent and take a heartfelt look at the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah. This faithful couple receives astonishing news in their old age. As Zechariah goes about his priestly duties, an angel appears and tells him, "Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son. You must name him John." Understandably, Zechariah is stunned. He wonders aloud, "But we are old. How can I be sure of this?" The angel assures Zechariah that what he has told him will come true. Then he says, "Because you didn't believe, you won't be able to speak until the child is born." Thus begins a long period of silence during which Zechariah surely learns many lessons. In Okoro's daily meditations for Advent, readers spend time with Zechariah and Elizabeth. As they look deep inside this faithful couple's longings and doubts, they will enlarge their own capacity for patience and wonder and be reminded of God's promise to make all things new. These poetic and poignant meditations will echo long after Christmas has passed. Their tough and tender wisdom acknowledges both wounds and blessedness-the griefs and joys of life. Reflection questions and a prayer challenge accompany each week's meditations. This book is perfect for individuals or groups.