After being silent for at least nine months, Zechariah speaks a prophecy concerning his son, John. In it, he describes how God has provided salvation for his people and, in His mercy, has revealed His peace that follows the forgiveness of their sins.

Following the revelation that she would bear a son who would be the Son of God, Mary visits her relative Elizabeth. The response of Elizabeth and her baby to Mary’s arrival reaffirms the fulfillment of what Gabriel revealed to Mary. Mary’s Song of Praise puts the emphasis where it belongs. Not on Mary, but on her Lord and Savior.

Life is filled with ‘how can this be moments?’. Those moments where you’re shocked by the events unfolding around you and you’re left asking ‘how can this be?’ In the opening verses of Luke’s gospel, Luke records 2 of these moments. Both Zechariah and Mary are visited by the angel Gabriel and receive incredible news that leaves them asking ‘how can this be?’ At first glance, their responses seem similar. But upon more careful consideration we see one is rooted in doubt which produces unbelief, while the other is rooted in trust, which produces obedience.

In a remarkably ordinary passage, Ezra leads a second group from Babylon back to Jerusalem. The good hand of the Lord was on them every step of the way. In this ordinary chapter, we are reminded that God works in ordinary ways to accomplish his extraordinary purposes of advancing His kingdom. As Christians, we therefore want to strive to be faithful in the ordinary moments of life, knowing that God uses those moments for His glory.

In a remarkably ordinary passage, Ezra leads a second group from Babylon back to Jerusalem. The good hand of the Lord was on them every step of the way. In this ordinary chapter, we are reminded that God works in ordinary ways to accomplish his extraordinary purposes of advancing His kingdom. As Christians, we therefore want to strive to be faithful in the ordinary moments of life, knowing that God uses those moments for His glory.

The exiles get an unexpected letter from king Darius. Through God’s providence and prophets, the temple is finished. We observe that God’s grace often comes to His people in an unexpected way. As God works in unexpected ways, He increases His people’s joy in Him.

As the rebuilding of the house of God begins anew, the leaders are confronted with the question, “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” The response to that question led to the completion of the task at hand. This story reminds Christians today that we have been given a task and the authority has been given by Jesus Christ Himself.

For 16 years the temple sat unfinished. The exiles had grown comfortable in their disobedience. God sent them the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to call them to repentance. By looking at the message of repentance preached by the prophets we will see that God still calls us to repent by returning to Him empowered by the Holy Spirit, comforted that God will return to us through Jesus Christ.

In chapter 4, the returning Israelites face persistent, determined opposition. When, as Christians, we encounter opposition or discouragement, we should be neither surprised nor anxious; rather, we should see it as a chance to trust God’s provision, encourage the body, and seek a deeper relationship with Him.

As the exiles break ground on rebuilding the temple, they begin by rebuilding the alter. In so doing, the exiles tells us worship is most important. God’s mission is advanced through the white-hot, self-sacrificing, God-exalting, unified praise of His people.