For a few moments of stillness, settle yourself in a comfortable position. Allow yourself to become quiet within. Listen attentively to the different sounds you hear and to the inner voice in yourself. Maybe you can hear your own heartbeat. As you relax into listening, try to become aware that God is near, within you, making his home in your heart.

This week's reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

• Whatever this angel was like he terrified Zechariah at first. Zechariah was a man who was both honoured and shamed. He had not yet fathered a child, and both he and his wife would have been mocked for that. But it was an honour to be chosen to go into the holy of holies, an inner room in the Temple where the Tabernacle was located. In today's terms it would be like being chosen to be principal celebrant at a big liturgy, or the head sacristan! When Zechariah saw the angel terror took hold of him. But he was still able to hear the angel’s words about joy. He heard and listened.
• Zechariah later doubted that he and Elizabeth could possibly have a child. Unlike Mary – who was afraid but did not doubt – he was chastised for doubting and was struck dumb. He was reduced to silence, and in that silence he heard the truth, and kept it in his heart until he would name his child. We often need silence to hear the truth. Indeed it has been noted that ‘listen’ and ‘silent’ are two words with exact same letters!
• Zechariah’s prayer had been heard. He knew he would have a child, John the Baptist, who would announce the Saviour and prepare His way by ‘turning people to God’. Though for the moment Zechariah had to keep his holy secret in the silence of his heart, the joy of telling the world would come later. Our Advent silence, when we choose to take time away from the busyness of the festive preparations to listen to God, will increase the joy in our hearts this Christmas.