Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son...
And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying: ...
And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, To shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Now the child grew and was becoming strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel. Luke 1: 57, 67, 76-80 (NASB)
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Now Zechariah turns his prophetic message to his own son. Zechariah doesn't know all the details, but he knows that Jesus is coming to free the people from their sins. Zechariah's son, John, will baptize those who turn from their sin so that they may be forgiven. Because of God's mercy, the path to peace with God will be well lit and John will play an important role in helping the people to find that light as he points them to Jesus. Both John and Jesus will proclaim the same message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2, 4:17 NASB)
The shortest days of the year come in the week of Christmas. We spend more time in the dark than any other time of the year. It's undoubtedly one reason we like to decorate for Christmas with so many lights. It's a great metaphor for Isaiah 9:2, which Zechariah quotes. “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; upon those living in the land that lies in the shadow of death, light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:1(2) CJB) We still live in a land of darkness. Most people do not believe in Jesus; without him they live in darkness and the shadow of death.
But Jesus is our great light in this shadow of death. As we enjoy the Christmas lights all around us, let us remember Jesus, the light in the darkness. Remember that we have turned from sin to God. Remember what God has accomplished through his people to bring us his light. How can we help bring his light into the darkness?
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Holy God, I magnify you, the merciful light of life who brings peace to those who know you. I thank you for sending your light into this dark world. Please help me to continue to live in your light and point others to it as John did. Yours is the light of eternal glory! Amen.
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org”
Taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stern. Copyright © 1998. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Messianic Jewish Publishers, 6120 Day Long Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029. www.messianicjewish.net.
Illustration from Good News Productions International and College Press Publishing
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