The Christmas Gift of Speech 说话与赞美

[Dexu Xia]

The Christmas Gift of Speech

[Zechariah’s] mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. Luke 1:64

A post-surgical stroke had robbed Tom of his ability to speak, and he faced a long rehab journey. Weeks later, we were pleasantly surprised when he showed up at our church’s Thanksgiving service. We were even more surprised when he stood up to speak. Searching for what to say, he jumbled his words, repeated himself, and confused days and time. But one thing was clear: he was praising God! It’s possible to have your heart break and be blessed at the same moment. This was that kind of moment.

In the “pre-Christmas story” we meet a man who lost the gift of speech. Gabriel the angel appeared to Zechariah the priest and told him he would be the father of a great prophet (see Luke 1:11–17). Zechariah and his wife were elderly, so he doubted it. That’s when Gabriel told him he would not speak “until the day this happens” (v. 20).

The day did happen. And at the ceremony to name the miracle baby, Zechariah spoke. With his first words he praised God (v. 64). Then he said, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them” (v. 68).

Like Zechariah, as soon as he was able, Tom’s response was to praise God. Their hearts were inclined toward the One who made their tongues and their minds. Regardless of what faces us this season, we can respond the same way.

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How do you respond when a crisis comes? What’s your reaction when you come through it?

Thank You, Father, for the gift of speech. In my times of doubt, be with me to strengthen my faith. Help me learn how to use language to draw near to and honor You.

说话与赞美

撒迦利亚的口立时开了，舌头也舒展了，就说出话来，称颂上帝。—路加福音1章64节

手术后的中风使谭陌失去说话能力，面临漫长的复健之旅。几周后，在教会的感恩节礼拜中，我们喜出望外地看到他，更叫人惊讶的是他竟站起来开口说话。即使他边想边说时，言语杂乱、内容重复且时序颠倒。但有一件事很清楚：他在赞美上帝！此时便显明了人在遭难时仍然蒙恩。

在基督即将诞生之前，也有一个人失去说话的能力。天使加百列向祭司撒迦利亚显现，并且告诉他，他会成为一位伟大先知的父亲（参见路加福音1章11-17节）。撒迦利亚跟妻子都已年纪老迈，所以他怀疑天使所言。就在那时加百列告诉他，他将不能说话，“直到这事成就的日子”（20节）。

这事真的成就了。在为那奇妙诞生的婴孩命名仪式上，撒迦利亚说话了。他的第一句话就是赞美上帝（64节）。然后他说：“主以色列的上帝是应当称颂的。因祂眷顾祂的百姓，为他们施行救赎。”（68节）

像撒迦利亚那样，当谭陌可以开口说话时，他的反应就是赞美上帝，他们的心都倾向于那位造他们口舌与心智的造物主。无论我们此时正面对何种景况，都同样可以用这种方式做出回应。

当危机来到时，你会作何反应？
当危机过去，你的反应又是如何？

天父，谢谢祢，让我能开口说话。
在我疑惑时，祢的同在坚固了我的信心。
请帮助我学会善用言语，更亲近祢，使祢得荣耀。