One of my discipline tactics with the kids is something we call “being on silence.” If you are put on silence, it is probably because you back-talked me one too many times or will not stop making annoying noises after being asked to quit. When you are on silence, you can’t speak or make any sounds until you are told it’s ok to talk again. It is very frustrating (to them … blissful to me! Ha!), but effective, for kiddos who need to stop and think twice about the words that come out of their mouths.

Apparently, being on silence is a pretty useful disciplinary tool for grownups, too! In Luke 1, we read the beautiful story about the angel Gabriel visiting Mary to tell her that she will become pregnant with Jesus. Mary then skedaddles to her relative Elizabeth’s house to share the good news. Elizabeth just so happens also to be miraculously pregnant, and her child is John the Baptist. Well, earlier in the chapter, we learn a little more about John’s against-all-odds conception and the subsequent silent treatment.

Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah were up in years and had not been able to have any children. Before Gabriel appeared to Mary, he paid a visit to Zechariah to let him know that he and Elizabeth would have a son together. Bumfuzzled, Zechariah questioned (interpretation: back-talked) the angel’s statement, so Gabriel put Zechariah on silence … for the duration of Elizabeth’s pregnancy! (The next time one of my kids complains about having to endure 10 minutes of silence, perhaps I’ll offer 10 months as an alternative.)

There’s something about the Christmas season that seems quiet and reflective. Rather than thinking of silence as a punishment to be endured (or ended with noise just to fill the void), why not be purposeful about spending quiet time with the Lord during these few weeks? I imagine that Zechariah had some in-depth prayer time during his many months without speaking. You and I could learn a lot from him by turning our attention to the silent moments and spending time getting to know God better.