‘I am Gabriel!’ With those words, the Angel of the Lord made clear he was not to be trifled with. Unfortunately, Zacharias did so trifle. So, he was struck dumb for his troubles. This was all because he doubted the good news that he and his elderly wife were to have son.
But there is an interesting point here. For bad news often comes like a bolt of lightning; the worrying diagnosis, the sudden accident, or the loss of a job. Such happenings occur in every life and their sharp splinters rip our ‘normal’ apart.
Good news, on the other hand, seems to come more gently and slowly. It is like the gradual dawning of a Spring.
That’s what makes Christmas so special. For its good news did come out of the blue. The coming of God among us was the least expected of events. It still tears asunder our darkest night with hope, opportunity even joy. Christ’s birth then is like a shard of goodness inoculating us with the astonishing news that leaves us speechless.
Minutes for Christ 