Today we read the story of the angel appearing to Zechariah to deliver the news that his wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son. Zechariah was afraid, and simply couldn’t fathom how this would be possible. Despite Zechariah’s doubt, and fear, God did the “impossible” for Elizabeth and Zechariah, breathing life into Elizabeth in ways bigger and greater than what they could have possibly imagined. And Elizabeth wouldn’t just bear a son, she would bear a son who would change the world, shedding God’s light onto all of those around him.

While I haven’t had quite as dramatic of an unexpected miracle as the one we read about today, I can still think of many times I was afraid of something or doubted if it was even possible, only to later look back and see that God had planted new life in my path each step of the way. When I decided to take a semester off during the fall of 2020 as a result of the COVID pandemic, I had so many doubts. I was afraid it would affect my ability to take certain courses given the rigid prerequisites of my major. I was worried being off-cycle would leave me caught between two groups, feeling neither part of the Class of 2023 nor the Class of 2024. Yes, it did come with its fair share of struggles with the registrar, but my semester at home also came with hourly hugs from my younger brother on his breaks from zoom class. It came with an extra summer in New Haven, where I found my way exploring East Rock or walking down Hillhouse on my lunch break. It meant I was able to be present in a unique way to my senior friends, as they applied to grad schools and jobs and graduated, since I wasn’t worried about those things for myself.

And now, I’ve submitted the last assignment of my undergraduate degree. Because of being off-cycle, I knew I wouldn’t have a graduation ceremony nor don the cap and gown for another several months after I finished. But I hadn’t anticipated just how beautiful it would be to feel the joy of Gaudete Sunday the day after completing this milestone. And as I look to Christmas, an ending—of my time as an undergrad—is accompanied by celebrations of the arrival of the ultimate new life—Jesus Christ. What a beautiful thing, to live the joy of Christmas in a new way this year!

As we head into the final days of preparation for Christs coming, let us ask ourselves: in what areas of our lives are we in need for Christ to breathe new life? All we need to do is ask. We do not need to be afraid, because our prayers have been heard.