because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David"- Luke 1:68-69
What IS the birth of Jesus Christ? It is the raising up of the way of salvation, the way into the kingdom of heaven, the way into His eternal presence.
When Zacharias, the aged priest, had heard the promise of a son, his lips were sealed by unbelief. But upon the birth of that son, as the promise was fulfilled, his tongue was loosed and he sang this hymn of gratitude to God. The Benedictus of Luke 1:68-69 is his response; the Benedictus is a hymn of thanksgiving and faith.
Doubt is always depressing and infidelity has no real hymns. But, faith is jubilant with thanksgiving, naturally expressed in song and praise!
The supreme note of this hymn is salvation, the only solid ground for true joy. If you know someone who is down, who is saddened by this season, remember this fact. Or perhaps you yourself struggle with stress or depression during the Christmas holidays - it is a common struggle.
True, lasting joy comes only in the person of Jesus. We can become distracted at this time of year, perhaps easier than at any other time. We can wish for family, or wish our family were different. We can be under financial stress, or relationship stress. All of these seem to be magnified just now.
But, focus on the truth. "...the Lord....has raised up a horn of salvation for us..." Wow! Here is the real Christmas message - the tender mercy of God, shown through His provision for us. As we praise Him who has come to guide our feet in the way of peace, joy is the inevitable result. This is the only way to have a truly Merry Christmas!
Holy Father God, our souls rise with Zacharias to praise You, and our hearts swell with awe that the Holy Spirit delivered this prophecy in song to the father of Elizabeth’s child, John the Baptist. You revealed to him that Mary’s child would be The Deliverer and his own son, John, would be the Prophet of the Highest and would prepare the way of the Lord. It is another Christmas miracle pointing to Jesus as the Christ, our Redeemer. Praise His holy name. Amen.