The Second Half

Pat and I are clearly living the second half of our lives. It is obvious that there are fewer years ahead than behind! Some folk grow morose, moody, and mumble with complaint as they age. In my opinion, they spend too much time wondering why things aren’t like they used to be, and resenting that reality that another generation is appropriately leading the way. While reading the nativity story recently, I was reminded that some of the key members in the report were “second half people.” Elizabeth is described as “well along in years,” and Zechariah said, “I am an old man.” Both expected that they, like the Patriarchal couple, Abram and Sarah, would be childless. But, in the “second half” they each experienced things so amazing that their youthful years are almost completely overlooked! The most important observation I can make is that they were both faithful to their vocations for a long time before the mystery and marvel of the “second half” began to happen. To quote Luke, “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.” Consider, “well-along-in-years” Elizabeth, conceived, just as an angel hold told her husband she would. When carrying The Baptist in her aged womb, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exalted loudly with an excited exclamation, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Elizabeth became a prophetess as a senior citizen! Not to be overlooked, Elizabeth is the only audience of record for the first singing of Mary’s hymn, a glorious song which begins with – “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” The senior citizen listened to the song written by a member of the youth group! No “Tsk! Tsk! What is the world coming to?” We have an example before us, the young and old can, and in my opinion should, worship together. While only a few months or years away from being inserted on the Temple’s roster of retired priests, Zechariah had his finest hours. God arranged for the “lot” to select Zechariah for special Temple duty. It may have been his first turn at the holy office as lots are unpredictable. While performing his priestly assignment, the angel Gabriel appeared, spoke prophetic promises, and left Zechariah speechless. The inability to speak disappeared as soon as John was named, and Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and composed a powerful hymn which begins with – “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn£ of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us — to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. I’d love to hear Mary’s song and Zechariah’s sung today! Two other “second half” people round out the cast of the nativity story. Anna was at least eighty-four years-old, and Simeon apparently was waiting for “the consolation of Israel” for a long time. Each of them teaches us about the “second half” too. But, this piece is already too wordy. My take-away lessons include: 1. God uses people who stay with their assignments for a long time. 2. The “second half” can be the most productive time in life. 3. Miracles happen to young and old. In the nativity account the miracles complemented each other. 4. It is good for old and young to spend time together. 5. Old people ought to be inspired by the younger. 6. Young people’s songs may be as good as old people’s songs. You surely will have more to add. Please send us the lessons the Holy Spirit in you. I’ll share them with other readers.