So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marvelled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.

Luke 1:59-64 (NKJV)

The naming of John at his circumcision ceremony became a source of contention within the family. Everyone wanted to keep a family tradition alive by naming him after his father. However, both Elizabeth and Zechariah defied convention and insisted on naming their child, "John." Simply put, John means "God is Gracious." Indeed God has transformed the humiliation and shame of an old couple who thought they would never have a child into kindness and mercy by mercifully giving them a son.

Breaking away from self-made tradition and the past represents a new direction in life. This is how the gospel affects us. Our history does not prevent God's grace from working in our lives right now. God's grace is often granted to those who do not deserve it or even recognise it. But, like Zechariah and Elizabeth, when we recognise God's supernatural move of grace and power in and through us, we are set free from the bonds of our past and sin, and we can enjoy God's gift of love in Christ.

In the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, God gave them hope after they had given up on changing their circumstances. They simply learn to live with the discomfort of quiet pain. When they witnessed the supernatural turning of their season, it unleashed an unbridled passion in their faith and response to what God was doing.

Being in Christ means experiencing God's grace again and over again.

For it is by God's grace that we develop an unwavering faith and an indomitable spirit in the face of adversity and disappointment. This gives us reason to sing and celebrate because even the darkest days do not deprive us of God's goodness and unchanging love.

Such is God's grace's generosity.

When God opens the floodgates of heaven and pours forth His blessings on us, we can't help but think that He has the power to change everything in our and everyone's favour.