Advent begins not with noise, but with silence — and with a long season where Zechariah is held, emptied, and invited into surrender so that blessing can take root. In this overlooked ‘footnote’ story, we see the holy work of God restoring identity from the inside out. Before Zechariah can speak blessing, Zechariah must receive blessing. Before blessing can flow, control must loosen. Before calling can be named, surrender must make space.

This sermon explores how blessing is not flattery or sentiment, but identity repair — God calling forth what is already true about us, summoning into the open what has always lived in the heart of God. Advent is the season where God restores our identity so we can recognize Jesus when Jesus draws near in surprising and ordinary places.

We name the real and human reasons blessing is hard to receive: our fear of vulnerability, our attachment to control, the old stories that told us we weren’t enough, or were too much. And into those places, Advent comes gently — creating room for honesty, softness, and readiness.

This message invites us to take one step closer to receiving blessing that restores dignity, worth, belonging, courage, and clarity. As we prepare for our December 28 Blessing Service, we open our hearts to the God who restores identity, prepares the way, and calls us into who we truly are.