Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Luke 1:11
The title may have led you to await the story of the shepherds and their sheepers out in a dark pasture, but it seems that suddenly, angels were everywhere for a few months to a couple of years in Judea. Foretelling prophecy had been put on leave for about four centuries, but suddenly the angelic messengers were abroad in the land. And who knew where they might show up, in dreams, in a young lady's house, out in the pasture, or even by the right side of the altar of incense in the Temple. To his credit, Zacharias did not drop his censer or otherwise embarrass himself in the moment, but startled he was. Zach was chosen by lot to burn incense in a restricted part of the temple and someone standing by the right side of that particular altar was not what his training would have led him to expect. What a great story Zach would have to tell everyone gathered outside in prayer though! Oops, too bad he ran his mouth in unbelief to an angel of the Lord. A silent priest, now there's a novel message!
Praying for a merry and joyous Christmas for all of us this year!
Bucky
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