At my age, it would be a miracle if we had more children. Ours are grown, and I had mine later than Robyn did. But the first miracle was not the incarnation in a virgin’s womb. It was her much older aunt. When Gabriel appeared to Mary, she said — I can’t get pregnant, I’m a virgin.
And the Angel said, look to Elizabeth.
Whose child was filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb, and who rejoiced when Christ, in the womb, visited. What is interesting is the attitude of Elizabeth. She saw conception as a blessing: a sign of God’s favour. That being barren was a punishment. So, despite the risks of a very late pregnancy (and they exist, they exist), she rejoiced.
It is worthwhile noting that it was her husband who needed the convincing. Not to sleep with her, but that such a thing was possible. He left his post in fear, deaf. He had done his duty as a priest for most of his life, nut was still young enough to serve: the age priests could do so ended at 50.
And if his wife was the same age, then they would have given up on children.
And before we go to the text, note that when you see an Angel you are not happy. You quake in fear. This was a grown man made mute.
1Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.
5In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
8Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” 19The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”
21Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. 23When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 25“This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”
There are two ways that we as a people grow, and the church prospers. Elizabeth and Zechariah show us one: by having kids. As God wills. This requires a certain countercultural crunchy mindset, because the memes of this world say you should be Mrs Trump, and have one baby by your Alpha Husband (after having a career) so you can be beautifully faded in your designer dresses. (When you marry in your thirties the number of kids you will have is much, much lower).
The second way is by conversion, and that can fail. It is failing for those who peddle lies. If you are going to work by conversion you better not use clever myths, and this is what the narrative of this time is. Please note I’ve cleaned up this fool’s language. A bit.
I work as a counsellor at a school where there’s a lot of 4chan-esque right wing boys who are coming up. The previous generation a year or two ago wasn’t too bad, but this generation coming up now is much more right wing.
My question is, how the f– do I deal with this shit? How am I supposed to honestly give council to a kid with a pepe shirt on. How do I talk to these kids who literally come to me and rant about affirmative action? 2 years ago these types barely existed and now they are everywhere, not only men but women too. They literally cannot control their right wing beliefs, they talk about it constantly, everywhere. They can’t have a discussion about f– math without bringing up how women hate math and science and that is why they are unsuccessful. They can’t talk about english classes without talking about colleges are wiping away white authors because of cultural marxism. A kid came to me and ranted that his history classes ‘blamed white people too much’ for tragedies in the past and that made him uncomfortable.
I know my job is that people can come to me with whatever possible problems they want, no matter how controversial. But this is getting f– out of hand. How do I do this?
The kids I know have it in their bones. To survive, they must husband up: they will probably have to fight. They know that without a faith, they are unarmed. And they will not be shamed by those who have been converged.
They’re not conservatives. They’re counter-revolutionaries. Their hero isn’t Reagan, it’s Pinochet. They love the “You can’t run, you can’t hide, you get helicopter ride!” chant – and they mean it. They actively call out their leftist indoctrinated cohorts in school, and talk back to the teachers when they spew forth leftist garbage. They’re not afraid to argue, and they’re not afraid to fight. They’re mostly not interested in wasting money and time in going to college. They are looking for jobs, and seeing illegals working all the entry level positions, and they’re really getting angry.
They boys are the definition of “toxic masculinity,” and the girls love them for it. Even the leftist girls are attracted to them, and the boys are starting to turn some of them around to the light.
One major difference – they don’t see the left-right split as economic (communism vs/ free market). They see a nuanced sphere of influence, with political, economic, and cultural axes. What they are primarily interested in is culture, with raw power as a secondary. Because if you control the culture, you control the future. Power obviously helps control the culture (convert or die works amazingly well), whether it’s political or economic. They see meme warriors as actual warriors, and celebrate successful memes. What they don’t care about is ethics. They are completely willing to be as ruthless and loyal to their own as our enemies, the Democrats – our man, right or wrong. They acknowledge that America is already a socialist state, as is every major economy, and they’re not fighting that battle. They have to survive the identity war on the horizon. After that, then they can discuss how to best improve everything else.
Bottom line – they realize they’re fighting for their lives and their culture, and they intend to win. They’ve got the drive and motivation of generations past. May God have mercy on those who oppose them, for they shall show none.
This is a time to rejoice. For Christ came, and he was foreshadowed. May our men have the faith of Zechariah, to serve and obey, even when in terror. And our women the courage of Elizabeth, to rejoice in the children they conceive.
For our works pale before the glory of God. Before him, we are all mute.