Zechariah enters the holy place of offering where the Angel Gabriel appears to him and announces Elizabeth will conceive and bear a son, a gift beyond their wildest desires, a gift they long-since have accepted would never be theirs. Zechariah is confused and asks for clarification. He is struck mute.

What if being struck mute were not punishment as written, but actually a blessing? What if the quiet were necessary for Zechariah to not talk about what he did not understand? What if the gift of silence were to allow Zechariah to pray more intently and offer thanksgiving and praise without answering the demands of the community – answers he did not have? What if the inability to speak fostered a deeper relationship with God?

It gave me the idea to request for the Advent season the gift of sacred pause, a momentary silence to allow my heart to catch up with my mind (and mouth) so my words will bless and not curse, sacred pause to turn thoughts to prayerful action.

To my delight, my prayer request was answered immediately, and the answer was a resounding “yes!”

Throughout these past six weeks I have been surprised and delighted by the awareness of many very sacred moments when I am struck mute just long enough to prayerfully listen to the still, small voice of God inside me, offering a better way. I am also painfully, acutely aware of a stream of cacophony still filling silence. Awareness of my missteps brings forth gratitude and desire to slow down, to listen better, and to offer to God my better self.

Although I might be wrong about the influence muteness had on Zechariah, I know he was a chosen, prayerful man and that the miracle of his muteness continues to influence my deeper relationship with God!

Throughout this Advent season may we embrace silence and the deeper prayer it invites.