Luke 1:57-80 Friday, December 24, 2010 Christmas Eve
Merry Christmas! It is the day before the heart of the celebration. But for some, Christmas Eve will be a centerpiece of the holiday events. It will be a great day. Be sure you take part in a worship service to offer your gratitude to God. Our Wilson United Methodist Church family will gather at 5:00, 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00 for candlelight communion. I hope you will join us for one (or more) of those worship services. It will be beautiful!
You might be reading this passage of Scripture and engaging these words while you are traveling to see family or friends. You might be with your family for the Christmas holiday. Either way, take time to locate a place to worship tonight wherever you are. I know you will be blessed!
Yesterday we talked about Mary and Elizabeth. Today we meet Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah. As you read the passage, you will discover Zechariah’s faithfulness and his struggle. He was a man of faith but he had questions. Go back to the early parts of Chapter One to discover Zechariah’s struggle and his hesitating response to God. It may even sound familiar as a replay from your own life!
We not only find Zechariah’s struggle, we also discover his song! In church liturgical history it is called the Benedictus (Blessed be the Lord) and it is used early in the morning for the service of Lauds or praise. “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to redeem his people.”
It is Zechariah’s contribution to the Christmas season! He reminds us that the celebration is really about the fulfillment of God’s eternal promise. That redemption will come to the people of God. That salvation will be available for the faithful. It all comes through Jesus who gains a spotlight from Zechariah’s son, John, who is known as the “Baptist.”
Tonight, we will sing the carols of the season, we will proclaim our faith in Christ, and we will lift a candle to give thanks for the faithfulness of God. For unto us a child is born!
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