Probably one of the most read scriptures during this time of year is Luke chapter 2. You know, the same one that Linus quotes to Charlie Brown when he cries out, "Doesn't anyone know what Christmas is all about?"
But before flipping to that page, take a moment to read what John the Baptist's father said at the birth of his son. I have to admit, I've often skimmed over chapter 1 to get right to the birth of Jesus.
You may recall, Zechariah did not believe the angel when he told him that he would soon have a son. And because of this disbelief, he was not able to speak until he affirmed his wife's choice of name for the child, "John."
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
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
(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 ancestors
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.
"And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace." Luke 1:68-79 (NIV)
This is such a beautiful piece of scripture. Take a moment to reflect on these words as they describe the coming of our Lord.
