Thinking Allowed - Silence

It's David's birthday today - so whilst he's celebrating, here's a pre-recorded episode for tonight.

When it seems as if God hasn't spoken anything for a while, how do we respond? Do we make up a whole lot of new things to fill the vacuum? Does our relationship descend into ritual? What happens to our faith level?

As we end the Old Testament story of God's redemptive plan to have a people in a place, we meet Zechariah the male priest from the Capital city and Mary, the 14 year old peasant girl from the back of beyond. Which of these will meet Gabriel with faith when he shares extraordinary news - that after 400 years of silence, God is speaking again?

If you enjoy these familiar stories with fresh insight you might like to read "Mary's Diary" which retells the Gospel of Luke and the first part of Acts as seen through the eyes of Jesus' mother.