【双语灵修】为神恩命名NAMING GOD’S MERCIES

路加福音1:57-66

伊利莎白的产期到了，就生了一个儿子。 邻里亲族听见主向她大施怜悯，就和她一同欢乐。 到了第八日，他们来要给孩子行割礼，并要照他父亲的名字叫他撒迦利亚。 他母亲说：“不可，要叫他约翰。” 他们说：“你亲族中没有叫这名字的。” 他们就向他父亲打手势，问他要叫这孩子什么名字。 他要了一块写字的板，就写上说：“他的名字是约翰。”他们便都稀奇。 撒迦利亚的口立时开了，舌头也舒展了，就说出话来，称颂神。 周围居住的人都惧怕。这一切的事就传遍了犹太的山地。 凡听见的人都将这事放在心里，说：“这个孩子将来怎么样呢？”因为有主与他同在。

12月11日

为神恩命名

「邻里亲族听见主向她大施怜悯，都和她一同欢喜。」 - 路加福音 1:58

耶稣降生的故事交织着另一个神迹 - 年迈的伊利莎白和撒迦利亚竟得了一个名叫约翰的儿子。虽然撒迦利亚起初不信这事能够实现，神却成就了祂所应许的。当撒迦利亚遵照天使指示为孩子取名「约翰」时，他的舌头立刻松开了（参见《路加福音》1:11-20；12月4日内容）。「约翰」名字的意思，正是「神是仁慈的」。

我们或许已经习惯将神的恩典与耶稣的降生连在一起，但也可追问：在这个季节里，神的恩典还在何处显现？或许你见证过破裂关系的修复，疾病得医治；或许你见过诱惑的消退，或恐惧的平息。我们能否将这些礼物视为神的恩典？

撒迦利亚夫妇不仅领受了神的恩典，更邀请邻里亲族共享这恩典带来的喜乐。圣诞时节，我们有很多与亲友相聚的机会—是否曾经借此与别人分享经历神恩的见证？

圣诞节正是默想神向人施恩的季节。愿你能述说这些恩典，并在其中欢庆。

祷告

圣洁的神啊，你的恩典一次次让我们欢喜。求你开我们的眼目，使我们看见你的作为，释放我们的口舌，使我们述说你的信实。奉耶稣的名求，阿们。

Luke 1:57-66

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11

NAMING GOD’S MERCIES

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. —Luke 1:58

The story of Jesus’ birth is intertwined with another miraculous birth—that of John, who was born to Elizabeth and Zechariah in their old age. Though Zechariah did not believe at first that this could happen, God fulfilled his promise. And when Zechariah named the child John, as the angel had instructed, he was able to speak again (see Luke 1:11-20; Dec. 4). The name John means “God is gracious.”

While we might be used to thinking of God’s grace in the birth and life of Jesus, we may also ask about other ways we see God’s grace at work in this season. Maybe you have seen a strained relationship restored, or an illness healed. Maybe you have seen temptations lifted, or fears relieved. Can we name such gifts as illustrations of God’s grace?

Not only did Zechariah and Elizabeth receive God’s mercy; they invited their neighbors and relatives to share in their joy in what God had done for them. During the Christmas season, many of us have opportunities to gather with family and friends. Do we also take time with others to share with them our experiences of God’s mercy to us?

Christmas is a season for reflecting on God’s grace and mercy to his people. May you name, and celebrate, that mercy today.