"It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment, it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering. Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear. But the angel reassured him,"Don’t fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, you wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You’re going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you-many will delight in his birth. He’ll achieve great stature with God."  Luke 1:8-15 from The Message by Eugene Peterson

The Advent scriptures are filled with the visitation of angels…..messengers of the Holy. This coming Sunday we often refer to as ‘Mary’ Sunday as we read the account of Mary’s visitation by the angel Gabriel to tell her of the call God has placed on her life. It is also important to remember the story that leads up to that story, this account of Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth. In their old age, settled into their lives,without hope of a child, they are told by an angel that they will bring new life into the world. Of course, Zachariah,like most others who have visitations of angels,reacts with fear. And then we read the words most common across the scriptures…"Do not be afraid." How many times must we hear them? How many times?

But those are not the only words I want to point out this morning. Zachariah has entered the temple to do his work as a priest, to burn the offering of incense. While he goes in to do his solemn duty, outside the temple the congregation was engaged in their work….prayer. As Zachariah entered the temple, he was held in the prayer of his people…..and he encountered an angel.

I have a friend, a mentor to me and to so many, who needs the congregation to do their work today. As someone who has coached us in prayer, in meditation, in deepening our relationship with God, he has been a messenger, an angel. Over the last years his health has been challenging and now a surgery must be repeated today to bring healing to some wounds. The one who has taught us to pray…..his priestly work….finds its difficult to pray and so it falls to the congregation….the people of faith…to do their work.

And so, if you are inclined to pray, I invite you to take up the work of the congregation surrounding the temple. During this Advent season when visitations are numerous, pray for Jim on this day. Even though you may not know him or ever meet him, the intention of your words may carry the message of the angels: Do not be afraid. You are held in our prayers.