His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “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.

When I think about the Israelites and how God had demonstrated his power and might to them, and through them to the world, I can see how they might have become confused about the coming Messiah. They likely wondered: Would he come with a legion of angels by his side, or maybe on a chariot of fire from heaven like Elijah rode on, or maybe he would be flanked by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night? And just like Zechariah was surprised at how God would allow him to have a son in old age, I think the Israelites were surprised that the coming Messiah was going to be born of a young, poor virgin. The fact is, our Redeemer came not in a show of force but as a humble and innocent baby. And here is Zechariah’s song of prophesy, he tells us the purposes of the coming Messiah: 1) To save his people from the hands of their enemies, 2) To show mercy, and 3) To enable them to serve him in righteousness and holiness without fear.

So how would he accomplish this — this salvation with mercy through righteousness and holy service?

This had been a place God had wanted to take his people from the beginning. Over and over again, they tried in their own strength and failed. They would set up for themselves gods of wood or stone, they would intermarry with pagan people and take on their many gods. They would take advantage of the poor and the orphans.

And so, the dawning of a new way to God is announced here by Zechariah. This new way will be a direct path to God through Jesus Christ.

It makes me think – many people I run into try really hard to live a good life. They try to just be a nice person. But inevitably, we all fail at this because we are selfish from birth.
Are you ready for a new, more direct or powerful way to God? If you haven’t tried it already, a personal relationship with this baby born a few thousand years ago will transform your life. You will see things in a new light. Your days will still have challenges, but the focus will be on the opportunities these challenges present.

Lord, thank you for your Word and its place in my heart. May I make room for your salvation plans and your redemptive ways. You love me deeply and want to know me and have me know you more fully!