
It is only one week to go until Christmas Day! Has panic set in, or are you all ready and just willing for the wait to be over? I guess for children, and those among us who are children at heart, the last few days of waiting might feel like a lifetime. For others of us we might prefer to stop the hands of the clock, to suspend the wait, as we just don’t know how we are going to get everything done before the big event arrives.
WAITING FOR THE WAIT TO BE OVER
The Christmas story is full of those who had to wait. Simeon and Anna had to wait until they were well advanced in years to see their promises from God fulfilled. Joseph and Mary had to wait to hold their promised son in their arms, and their wait would not have been easy. Bearing the shame of what appeared to be a child born out of wedlock. The fear-filled journey to Bethlehem and the lack of a room when they arrived. Not to mention the physical demands of pregnancy on a young woman’s body.

And what about Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s parents? Luke’s gospel tells us that the Angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah as he was fulfilling his duties as a priest and promised that he and his wife would have the son they had prayed and longed for, even though she was past childbearing age. Understandably perhaps, Zechariah had his doubts. The Angel tells him that because of his unbelief he would be struck dumb until the child is born. Have you ever wondered why?
OUR WORDS HAVE POWER

Luke 6 v 45 tells us that ‘out of the heart, the mouth speaks’. So what comes out of our mouths is evidence of the state of our hearts. We also know that what comes out of our mouths has the power to kill or to bring life ( Proverbs 18 v 21 )
When we are waiting, in the same way as we have to be careful what we think about, we also have to be so careful what we say. Moaning or complaining is in effect speaking out a lack of trust in God to keep His promises. Speaking out of doubt or fear has the same effect. I don’t want to give the enemy power over me by agreeing with his thoughts about my situation. I have to choose to speak with faith, or not speak at all. So my ‘if God heals me’ becomes ‘when God heals me’. I come into agreement with heaven with my words and faith is released.
SAYING NOTHING
Perhaps in Zechariah’s case it was better that he said nothing, rather than speak negatively about the situation he found himself in, while waiting for the Angel’s words to be fulfilled.
And the first words on his lips when he got his voice back? A Holy Spirit inspired song of praise, and prophetic declaration. His wait had been a silent one, but I believe he had drawn closer to the heart of God during it.

Joy Margetts is new to blogging, and new to being published. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. A work of historic fiction, set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, it is also a story of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Joy has also self- published a short novella, ‘The Beloved‘ as both a companion to ‘The Healing‘, and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available to buy on Amazon Kindle.
‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, will be published by Instant Apostle in July 2022
More information on Joy and her writing, and links to purchase her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com