(Luke 1)
A lot of things seem routine
A bus driver plying the same route, or a working Mum dropping off the kids on her way to work,
Or even-a priest on a duty that was very routine for his division.
Zechariah went into the sanctuary to burn the incense
It was his turn that week, even though he was "chosen" by lot.
He had no idea that he was about to be overtaken by events.
A humble woman, Elizabeth, who was just running the home
Wanting a child desperately
Had no idea that she was, too, about to be overtaken by events.
And then there was Mary
What was she doing?
Cooking? Talking to a friend? Thinking of her engagement to that Carpenter, Joseph?
And then, just like her cousin, in a moment - that's all it takes - everything changes.
Everything suddenly becomes soaked in the prophetic
Elizabeth prophesies, Mary prophesies, Zechariah prophesies, Simeon prophesies
All the relatives and friends of Zechariah and Elizabeth want the baby to be called after his dad.
But, no, in the moment of being overtaken by something greater
Even long held traditions and expectations get turned over
"His name shall be John" said his mother, even though Luke never records that Zechariah had ever told her.
Heaven comes to earth and the effect is that all who come close are overtaken by events.
Our thoughts become gloriously disorganised, and our best held comfort systems are removed
The prophet Malachi saw this ahead of time, as did others.
But, he captures the feeling of it - "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple." (3 v 1)
Sometimes, just sometimes, I think we need some of this.